Senior citizen in Groß Schirma cheated out of 40,000 euros – police warn of shock calls!

Senior citizen in Groß Schirma cheated out of 40,000 euros – police warn of shock calls!

A worrying incident occurred on Tuesday evening in Groß Schirma, more precisely in the Großvoigtsberg district. A senior citizen became the victim of a perfidious telephone scam that is typical of the shock calls that are currently frequently observed. In fact, on July 24, 2025, at around 7:30 p.m., the person concerned was contacted by a caller who posed as a traffic lawyer and claimed that the senior's daughter was involved in a serious traffic accident.

In an emotional call, the fraudster described that the daughter had injured a woman with a walker and was seriously injured herself. Under the pretext that her daughter would soon be released from custody, the caller demanded a deposit of 50,000 euros. Ultimately, however, the senior handed over 40,000 euros to someone he didn't know. She was around 30 to 35 years old, around 1.60 meters tall and had a southern appearance, dressed in dark clothing with a hat and scarf.

Police's Warning and Call for Witnesses

The police have already started investigations and are looking for witnesses who noticed something suspicious on Glückauf-Strasse and the surrounding area on Tuesday evening. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chemnitz criminal police on 0371 3873448. This type of fraud is not an isolated case, and the police strongly warn against such telephone tricks, which often claim to help relatives in emergency situations.

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) points out that shock calls have been occurring more frequently recently. The fraudsters always use similar methods: They often pose as close relatives or representatives of state institutions. Pressure is often exerted so that the victims, who are mostly older people, are inclined to hand over money quickly. As already reported by [Saechsische], the fraudsters try to suggest emotional and financial hardships in order to bring the injured parties to their knees.

Prevention and information

In order to protect yourself, the BKA strongly advises not to give in to the callers' demands. Important advice includes: Hang up if you feel pressured and call family members on known numbers. It is extremely important not to give out any personal or financial information over the phone or to give cash/valuables to strangers.

In addition, if you are unsure, it is recommended to contact the police on 110 and not to use the callback buttons. These preventative measures can potentially help prevent even more serious harm from such scams.

This situation shows once again how important it is to be vigilant and to act immediately in the event of suspicious calls. Awareness of these fraudulent practices remains crucial to preventing future victims. Those affected can find further information and offers of help on platforms such as [WEISSER RING], which can be reached on 116 006.