Fraudulent calls: Seniors in Bitterfeld-Wolfen put under pressure!

Fraudulent calls: Seniors in Bitterfeld-Wolfen put under pressure!

In the last few days we have heard of particularly bold fraud attempts in the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district, which primarily target older citizens. These are so-called shock calls that attempt to manipulate people in a perfidious way. On Monday, an 89-year-old from Köthen received a call from a supposed police station claiming that her daughter had caused a fatal traffic accident. A deposit of 77,000 euros was required for the daughter's release.

An 83-year-old from Bitterfeld-Wolfen suffered a similar fate and was asked to pay a deposit of 45,000 euros. Fortunately, both seniors had the mischief on their hands and ended the conversation with presence of mind, so that in both cases there was no handover of money. The police warn urgently: In such situations, those affected should hang up immediately and not make any payments like this Central German newspaper reported.

The trick of the fraudsters

Shock calls are a common phenomenon in which callers pose as relatives or even police officers to inspire trust. The aim is to put pressure on the person being called so that they hand over money or valuables. Often the story is about a family member's alleged traffic accident that requires immediate surgery paid for in cash. Victims are often put under pressure, which means that they often only realize too late that they are being deceived Police advice explained.

Fear for loved ones is a powerful tool for fraudsters. These are particularly common among older people, who can easily become unsettled in such emotional moments. Often these scammers combine their scams by placing a call from a grandson scammer followed by a call from a supposed police officer to further undermine trust.

Tips for protection

The police strongly advise not only to remain calm when receiving such calls, but also to take targeted protective measures. If you are unsure, you should dial 110 immediately and under no circumstances use the callback button. If you feel pressured, hang up and call family members on the number you know. Do not give out any personal or financial information over the phone or give money or valuables to strangers.

In order to protect yourself and your loved ones, it is best to consult a trusted person or contact the police in such cases. And very important: the treatment of an accident victim is never dependent on prior payment. Always be vigilant and share this information to protect others from these fraudulent schemes.