Fraud in Osnabrück: Fake police officers steal gold from senior citizens!

Fraud in Osnabrück: Fake police officers steal gold from senior citizens!

An alarming series of frauds has caused a stir in Osnabrück-Sutthausen after an elderly couple fell victim to unscrupulous fraudsters posing as police officers. These machinations, which began at the beginning of September, not only affected the couple emotionally, but also cost them a high five-figure amount of money. As NDR reports, the police are now faced with the challenge of preventing similar cases.

The fraudsters contacted the couple by phone and warned them about alleged burglars in the neighborhood. They promoted the idea of ​​investing in gold to secure the couple's wealth. The couple followed this advice and purchased gold that was delivered directly to their home. In the weeks that followed, the perpetrators maintained contact and reported alleged investigations, which further strengthened the couple's trust.

The fraudster's scam

The crooks were extremely tricky and eventually claimed that the gold delivered was fake and had to be picked up by the police. In a careless moment, the couple left the gold in an unlocked car, where the perpetrators quickly stole it. The police only became aware of this fraud when the couple asked the authorities about the whereabouts of their gold. Press portal highlights that such methods have increased in recent years and seniors are particularly at risk.

The third source, Pflege Panorama, reports a general increase of over 50% in cyber fraud against older people in 2023. The perpetrators have increasingly professionalized and refined their methods. Online banking in particular is a common target where seniors are lured into a trap by phishing attacks.

Police warnings

The police strongly warn against handing over money or valuables to unknown people. She emphasizes that police never ask for cash, jewelry or gold. If in doubt, citizens should end the conversation immediately and contact the authorities themselves. It is crucial not to reveal sensitive information about personal assets over the phone.

• Übergeben Sie niemals Geld oder Wertsachen an unbekannte Personen.
• Die Polizei fordert niemals Bargeld, Schmuck oder Gold.
• Beenden Sie das Gespräch bei Zweifeln und rufen Sie die Behörde selbst an.
• Geben Sie am Telefon keine Auskünfte über Ihre Vermögensverhältnisse.
• Lassen Sie sich nicht unter Druck setzen und sprechen Sie im Zweifel mit Angehörigen oder vertrauten Personen.

This incident reminds us of the importance of being vigilant and educating each other about such scams, especially in the increasingly digital world. Seniors should not only be trained in online banking, but also be informed about the risks in order to better protect themselves.