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Fraudsters on the phone: Seniors in Suhl warned by fake police officers!
In Suhl, seniors became victims of a telephone scam. Scammers posed as police and tried to steal valuables.
Fraudsters on the phone: Seniors in Suhl warned by fake police officers!
On July 17, 2025, a worrying incident occurred in Suhl in which unknown perpetrators attempted to scam several senior citizens over the telephone. The fake police officers called the elderly and informed them about an alleged gang of burglars who were targeting their homes. The aim of this perfidious scam was to obtain information about cash, jewelry and other valuables in order to ultimately achieve financial gain. As news.de reports, the fraudsters offered those called to keep their valuables “safe”.
A fortunate circumstance was that all of the seniors affected saw through the scam and hung up immediately. No damage occurred, which was a huge success for seniors' calls. The police then issued a clear warning: Real police officers never ask for financial resources or pick up valuables over the phone. In case of doubt, citizens should call 110 to protect themselves and contact the real police, as presseportal.de emphasizes.
The dangers of telephone fraud
Unfortunately, seniors are often the target of telephone fraud, not only in Suhl but also elsewhere. A look at the most common scams shows that fraudsters mercilessly exploit the inexperience and trustworthiness of older people. According to mobil-halten.de, these include, among other things, the grandchild trick, in which fraudsters pose as relatives and fake a financial emergency, or order fraud, in which seniors pay for goods or services that are never delivered.
But seniors are often the target of fraudsters not only on the phone, but also in everyday life. Scams such as the subscription trap, in which supposedly free offers quickly become a cost trap, or pickpocketing, in which the distraction of seemingly friendly people is used, are common crimes. Therefore, it is extremely important that seniors are regularly informed about the risks and learn to be suspicious if something does not seem kosher.
Important tips for seniors
There are some simple but effective tips to protect yourself from scammers:
- Überprüfen Sie immer die Identität von Anrufern.
- Seien Sie vorsichtig bei vermeintlich günstigen Angeboten.
- Achten Sie auf die Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen bei Online-Formularen.
- Installieren Sie ein Anti-Virus-Programm auf Ihren Geräten.
- Lassen Sie keine fremden Personen in Ihre Wohnung.
- Informieren Sie Polizei und Bank, wenn Sie Verdacht auf Betrug haben.
It is essential that seniors remain skeptical and, if in doubt, seek advice from friends or family. Proper caution can help not only avoid material loss, but also restore confidence in your own safety.