Scammers deceive seniors with shock calls: Police sound the alarm!

Scammers deceive seniors with shock calls: Police sound the alarm!

Recently there have been increasing reports of brazen telephone scammers in Northern Germany who are particularly targeting older people. On Thursday, November 27th, two attempted fraud cases were reported to the Grevesmühlen police, in which the perpetrators once again managed to create a frightening level of emotional pressure in order to steal money from their victims. So reported Wismar.fm that an 83-year-old woman in Schönberg was contacted by an alleged professor at a university clinic. The fraudster claimed that her son was seriously ill in the clinic and urgently needed a special medication worth 120,000 euros.

But the senior citizen showed a good hand and ended the conversation to inform her relatives. When police arrived, it was determined there was no emergency. A similar thing happened to an 85-year-old woman from Boltenhagen who received a call from what was supposed to be a grandchild. In this case, an acute illness and a demand for 70,000 euros for medication were faked. However, the woman was clever enough not to let herself be put under pressure and also broke off the conversation. Fortunately, there was no financial damage in either case.

Shock calls and grandchild tricks

The police strongly warn against such scams that aim to exert emotional pressure. Loud South German newspaper These fraudsters often act professionally and pose as police officers or public prosecutors in order to manipulate seniors in emergency situations. They claim that the relatives were, for example, involved in a fatal accident or were in danger due to alleged burglary gangs. These methods show how unscrupulous the perpetrators are and how important it is to remain calm and skeptical, especially in such situations.

A popular approach is the so-called grandchild trick, in which fraudsters pose as relatives and ask for money for urgent purposes. They often use stories about real estate purchases or debts. The police recommend that you think about such calls critically and never make decisions under pressure. This awareness is particularly important for seniors, as is the platform Nursing assistance clarified.

Prevention and protective measures

To protect yourself from such fraud attempts, it is advisable to be skeptical when receiving unknown calls. Great attention should be paid to emotional appeals, as scammers often try to exploit their victims' pity. The police recommend checking the identity of the caller by asking specific questions and ensuring that no personal information is revealed.

In addition, you should inform relatives about suspicious calls and ask them for advice. This way you won't be left alone with the situation. Other fraud prevention tips include abbreviating first names in the phone book and keeping valuables safe. It's also worth considering digital media awareness training, as seniors are increasingly online and also face risks.

The responsibility for promoting the safety of older people lies not only with those affected themselves, but also with society. We should work together to ensure that seniors are informed about these dangerous scams and are aware of their rights and protection options. The solidarity and support of our community is crucial to stopping these scammers.