Beware of shock calls: Police warn of brazen scammers!

Beware of shock calls: Police warn of brazen scammers!

In the last few weeks the reports have been piling upShock callsin Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. According to the Neubrandenburg Police Headquarters, numerous calls have been received in which the fraudsters pretend to be police officers from the Criminal Investigation Department. They state that a Romanian group of perpetrators keeps a list of names, including that of the person called. It is alleged that this group is planning to break into the affected apartments and houses.

The aim of the fraudsters is clear: They want to obtain information about cash and valuables and put pressure on those called to hand over their valuables to the police, supposedly for safekeeping. So far, such calls have mainly been reported from cities such as Greifswald and Grimmen, although it cannot be ruled out that other regions could also be affected. The police warn urgently and give advice on how to behave in such situations.

How do you react correctly?

Police recommend reporting calls immediately and not disclosing any financial information over the phone. The best thing to do is to simply hang up, not allow yourself to be put under pressure and not allow unknown people access to the apartment. The police also emphasize that they never call to make demands for money. This information is particularly important to provide reassurance to older people, who are often the targets of such scams.

The fraudsters' scams are diverse. It is often claimed that a relative has been involved in a traffic accident and urgently needs to pay bail, or that a family member is in a critical situation that requires immediate financial support. The pressure to act quickly means that many victims only recognize the fraud too late, which is why it is essential to remain level-headed and seek professional help when in doubt.

Scams at a glance

• Schockanrufe von vermeintlichen Polizisten
• Falsche Informationen über einen Verkehrsunfall mit Geldforderungen
• Behauptungen über Einbrüche und Sicherheitsbedenken

Such fraud methods are not only a serious problem in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Also elsewhere, like from a current one Security study 2025 As can be seen, the issues of security and crime are omnipresent. Many traders in Austria report daily challenges caused by crime.

Overall, 86% of Austrian retailers said they had experienced crime, with over 500 million euros being lost annually to shoplifting and cybercrime. This shows how prime examples of fraudulent calls and cyber attacks must also be comprehensively examined in retail. Prevention work is becoming increasingly important and it is becoming apparent that more importance is being attached to protective measures such as training for staff and the installation of video surveillance.

In times when crime is flourishing not only in the physical realm but also in the digital realm, it is clear that education and vigilance are essential. Whether it's shock calls or in retail, together we can strengthen our sense of security and stay one step ahead of crime.