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Fraud in Ponitz: Pensioner loses 150,000 euros to fake bank employee!
A 67-year-old from Ponitz fell for a telephone scam and lost 150,000 euros. Police are investigating.
Fraud in Ponitz: Pensioner loses 150,000 euros to fake bank employee!
In Altenburg, fraudsters have struck again and deprived a 67-year-old man from Ponitz of a huge sum of around 150,000 euros. As [lvz.de](https://www.lvz.de/lokales/altenburger-land/altenburger-land-rentner-faellt-auf-betrug-herein-150-000-euro- Schaden-GEABK75DFZEGLFUAKEAD6RTEGU.html) reports, the accident happened between October 13th and 14th, 2025. The injured party was contacted by telephone by one Contacted a supposed employee of his house bank, who cleverly aroused trust and asked for the required transaction numbers (TANs) for online banking.
As a result, the fraudster initiated several transfers and left his victim with painful financial damage. The police immediately launched an investigation to catch the perpetrators and counteract the growing frequency of telephone fraud in the country, which, according to news.de, is affecting more and more members of the older generation.
Fraud trends in focus
The current development is not isolated. According to a report by BioCatch on “Fraud Trends in Online Banking in Germany 2025”, digitalization represents a major challenge. Germany was already the second most common target for global phishing attacks in 2024, with 14% of all phishing emails recorded in this country. The threat is increasing and almost 70% of fraud losses in Germany occur through digital channels. Sophisticated methods such as quishing, i.e. QR code phishing, are on the rise.
In the context of these fraud trends, one also needs to take a closer look at the statistics: Germany ranks fourth in Europe in terms of fraud cases and lost around 267 billion euros to cybercrime in 2024, according to the BioCatch report emerges.
Further incidents in Altenburg
But it's not just telephone fraud that keeps the police in Altenburg on their toes. On the same weekend that the fraud took place, there was also a break-in at a single-family home in the Remsa district. Unknown perpetrators had removed a security window and searched several rooms. Watches, jewelry and cash worth five figures were stolen; A safe was transported into the hallway, but fortunately remained locked.
The perpetrators allegedly fled in a dark Audi RS6 with the license plate “DD-GH 2345”. The criminal police have already started investigating this incident and are urgently looking for witnesses who can provide information.
Things are also turbulent on the streets of Altenburg. On Sunday, a cyclist was stopped during a check because of his erratic driving style - the 43-year-old had a blood alcohol level of 1.89. A blood sample was taken here and proceedings were initiated for drunk driving.
At least five vehicles were also damaged in Altenburg on the night from Friday to Saturday. These activities appear to show a worrying increase in crime that is making all citizens take notice. The police are asking for your help and are hoping for numerous tips from the public.