Another elder from the Teltow-Fläming district received a similar call on Tuesday. He also noticed the fraud before the money was paid. In both cases the victims reacted correctly and then called the police. Now they have filed a criminal complaint for attempted fraud. The Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the investigation. These continue.
The facts describe a form of telephone fraud well known to the police
With these so-called “shock calls”, the executioners take advantage of the moment of shock by calling their victims and pretending to be relatives (son, daughter, grandson) in a dramatic situation. Most of the time, crying, they claim that there was a car accident that killed someone and that they are now with the police. You could avoid pre-trial detention or criminal proceedings only if the victim deposited a large sum (usually several tens of thousands of euros) as bail.
Usually the phone is then passed to an alleged police officer in order to further increase the pressure with an acoustic threat. The combination of shock, threats and pity towards alleged relatives is meant to persuade often older victims not to question the truth and hand over money. Authors often speak without an accent and are gifted rhetorically.
Attached you will find information that citizens should observe in all forms of telephone fraud. “Shock calls” come alongside scams from grandchildren and calls from bogus police officers, all of which are aimed at obtaining valuables and / or money from mostly elderly citizens and can also vary greatly in their form.
In this context, the police recommend:
– Don’t be questioned on the phone. Don’t reveal any details about your family or financial situation!
– Don’t let a caller rush you or pressure you. Make a later appointment so you can check the information in the meantime, for example by calling your relatives or the local police!
– Make a note of the caller number that may appear on your phone screen!
– Before you want to give someone your money or other valuables: discuss the matter with someone you trust. If you are “uncomfortable”, inform the local police station!
– Don’t give money to people you don’t know personally!
– Have you already agreed to hand over the money? Notify the police before the delivery date! You can reach it at 110.
In addition, the police once again warn of a scam in which messaging services such as “WhatsApp” are used. Unknown authors pretend to be a family member. In their messages, the authors claim that their cell phone is faulty and that they are now typing on a friend’s cell phone. The authors then point out that they must make urgent transfers in a very short time. However, as they can no longer access their banking app due to the faulty cell phone, they ask their victims to make these transfers for them. Not infrequently, after the first successful transfer, it is explained that one or two more must be made.
