Fraud in Finsterwalde: 13 false police calls in one day!

Fraud in Finsterwalde: 13 false police calls in one day!

A worrying wave of fraud attempts by fake police officers occurred in Finsterwalde on Wednesday. A total of 13 cases were reported to the police in which the criminal callers pretended to be officers. They pretended to report alleged burglaries in the neighborhood and specifically asked about the valuables of the people they were calling. Fortunately, the affected seniors were vigilant and ended the conversations without falling for the scam. Loud Niederlausitz Current The day before, several fake police officers had called older people.

The Brandenburg police also reported an increased number of such fraud attempts in the region. In combination with the incidents in Finsterwalde, a total of 16 fraud attempts were reported in Schlieben and Finsterwalde. The callers, who often answered with a suppressed number, introduced themselves as “Mr. Stahl” and warned of an alleged gang of thieves. They continued to search for sums of cash and gold coins that were in the possession of those called. All callers recorded responded correctly and informed the police after the call the Brandenburg police held on.

Precautions for seniors

Scammers often target older people, who often fall into the clutches of these scams due to shyness or a desire to help. It is all the more important to sensitize seniors to such machinations. Forms of fraud such as the “grandchild trick” or “shock calls” are widespread and can have devastating consequences for the assets of those affected. Such information can also be found on the website Care assistance for seniors, which offers generally helpful tips for fraud prevention.

Police emphasize that prosecutors or police officers never request cash or valuables over the telephone. The only correct approach is written contact. The credentials of government officials should always be checked to ensure that they are genuine officials.

What can relatives do?

It's not just up to seniors themselves to protect themselves. Relatives also play a crucial role. It is recommended to intervene quickly in suspicious calls. Relatives should be encouraged to maintain a culture of open communication and regularly inform their older relatives about possible fraud cases. Distrusting anonymous callers and not disclosing personal information over the phone are crucial self-defense measures.

At a time when seniors are increasingly recognizing the use of digital media, technical aids are valuable support. Training and information help to identify and avoid attempted fraud at an early stage. It is of social importance to support and educate older people on these issues so that they can live safely.