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Police strike: Three shock callers arrested in Dessau!
Dessau-Roßlau police are taking action against grandchild fraudsters in Wittenberg: three suspects in custody, damage over 73,000 euros.
Police strike: Three shock callers arrested in Dessau!
The crime wave rolling over German telephone lines was recently targeted in a successful police operation. The “Aprum” investigation group of the Dessau-Roßlau police station has launched a strike against the so-called shock callers. Three suspects, including a 27-year-old woman and two men aged 22 and 27, are now in custody after being held responsible for at least 13 fraud attempts. A total of more than 73,000 euros were stolen, reports MZ.
The investigation revealed that six of the shock calls were successful. Two of the accomplished deeds occurred in Dessau-Roßlau and Wittenberg. The case of an 89-year-old woman from Dessau who was cheated out of 7,000 euros is particularly shocking. The fraudsters pretended that their daughter had been arrested. In the Wittenberg case, after around ten calls, a couple handed over a five-figure sum to an unknown person who posed as a police officer.
Fraudsters' scams
Shock calls are a common scam in which callers pretend to be relatives or police officers. Their goal is to put pressure on those called and get them to hand over money or valuables. It is often claimed that a traffic accident requires immediate funds for treatment that can only be paid for in cash. "Your granddaughter was in a car accident and is in a coma. 50,000 euros are needed," one of the frightening calls could read BR notes.
The police make it clear that the target group is primarily older people who are unsettled in such frightening situations. Victims often only recognize the fraud too late. Fraudsters are particularly active in Bavaria, where the total damage caused by call center fraud in 2023 is estimated at an impressive 26.3 million euros, which corresponds to more than a fifth of the nationwide damage.
Prevention measures
In order to combat these scams, the police have launched various preventive measures. This includes training for bank staff and special warnings to raise awareness among the population. There are a few simple rules to follow: If you are unsure, you should contact the police on 110 and never discuss personal or financial information over the phone. Involving someone you trust can also be extremely helpful in such situations polizei-beratung.de out.
The latest arrest shows that the police continue to take strong action against such fraud attempts. However, it remains important that those affected and their relatives remain vigilant and inform themselves about these scams. If you are informed and well prepared, you will always be one step ahead of the fraudsters!