Alarm in Wilhelmshaven: Fraudsters active with shock calls and blackmail!

Alarm in Wilhelmshaven: Fraudsters active with shock calls and blackmail!

In Wilhelmshaven and Friesland, the wave of attempted fraud through shock calls and blackmail emails has increased significantly. Scammers pose as relatives or police officers and try to trick their victims with shocking stories. The police warn urgently against these unscrupulous activities. nwzonline reports that ...

These calls stage a dramatic scenario: In many cases, the callers report serious traffic accidents in which close relatives supposedly got into trouble. In order to help and avoid serious consequences such as prison, large amounts of money are demanded - sometimes even up to 100,000 euros. A serious case occurred when a 69-year-old man handed over 50,000 euros and valuable Krugerrand gold coins to a woman on the town hall square, who was initially presented to him as a helper and later as a collector.

The perpetrators' scam

During these shock calls, the perpetrators put their victims under pressure and often try to prevent contact with real relatives or the police. In many cases, several callers are involved: First, an alleged family member conducts the conversation, before another caller who claims to be a police officer or public prosecutor joins in. This approach increases the psychological pressure on those affected who believe they have to act in an emergency situation. Particular caution should be taken here as callers are often able to imitate the voice or appearance of a relative in order to appear even more credible.

But fraud isn't just committed over the phone. Many people are also affected by blackmail emails. It claims the victim was filmed while masturbating. In order to prevent these recordings from being published, the criminals demand money in the form of Bitcoin. What's particularly perfidious is that these emails often seem to come from the person concerned's own address - a trick known as email spoofing. The Federal Criminal Police Office also warns against these dangerous practices.

Protective measures and recommendations for action

The police and specialist authorities recommend that you immediately be suspicious if you receive such messages or calls. Important tips for prevention include:

• Setzen Sie sich nicht unter Druck und legen Sie das Telefon auf.
• geben Sie keine persönlichen oder finanziellen Informationen preis.
• Rufen Sie Angehörige oder Freunde unter bekannten Nummern an, um den Wahrheitsgehalt zu überprüfen.
• Übergeben Sie kein Geld oder Wertgegenstände an Unbekannte.
• Nutzen Sie stets aktuelle Anti-Viren- und Anti-Spam-Software sowie die Zwei-Faktor-Authentifizierung.

Especially in times when cybercrime is booming, being vigilant is the most important thing. Fraudsters are becoming more and more sophisticated, so if you receive dubious calls or emails, those affected should not hesitate to contact the police on 04421/9420. Information and offers of help can also be found at the “WEISSER RING” victim advice center on the nationwide number 116 006. Police crime prevention also offers valuable information.