A woman transfers money to strangers at the behest of her daughter. Only later does she realize that instead of helping her daughter, she fell victim to fraudsters.
November 18, 2024 at 11:26 a.m. Göppingen
Older people in particular are targeted as victims of con artists in order to steal money and valuables. Fraudsters often pose as children or grandchildren in order to gain people’s trust. (symbol image)
Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa
Using a common scam, an unknown person contacted a 73-year-old woman via a messenger service on Sunday night.
The sender pretended to be the elderly woman’s daughter. Because her cell phone was broken, she couldn’t make a transfer. Believing it was her real daughter, the woman made a four-digit online instant transfer on Sunday to a bank account listed in Germany. It was only later that the elderly woman noticed the fraud and filed a police report. The Göppingen police have started the investigation.
A pattern known to the police
The scam is not new. Potential victims are specifically contacted using messenger services, often under the pretext that they are the victims’ children whose phones have broken and now have a new phone number.
The police advise: Be careful with unknown message writers, especially if certain demands are made. Don’t allow yourself to be put under pressure and ask specific questions of the sender of the message. Do not transfer money or give money or valuables to unknown people. Do not reveal any personal information and talk about the news with your family or other confidants. If you are unsure: Call the police on 110 or your local police station. Do not use the callback function. You can find further information on protecting yourself from telephone scammers in the brochure “Beware, rip-offs!” You can find these at your local police station or online www.polizei-beratung.de
In order to further raise awareness of the issue of telephone fraud, the police, together with the state prevention department, have produced a ten-part clip series in which the police successively explain the various scams. This is on YouTube to find.
What are some common signs that an elderly person is being targeted by telephone fraud?
Sure, here’s an interview about how elderly people can protect themselves from telephone fraud:
Guest 1: Detective Sergeant Thomas Müller from the Göppingen police department’s fraud squad.
Guest 2: Dr. Ingo Froböse, a senior citizen consultant from the German Senior Council.
Thematic Section I: The Impact of Telephone Fraud on Elderly People
Interviewer: How does telephone fraud affect elderly people, and why do fraudsters target them specifically?
Guest 1: Fraudsters often target elderly people because they tend to be more trusting and may have a harder time recognizing scams. They also often have savings or valuable possessions that can be easily taken advantage of. The consequences of these scams can be devastating, as many elderly people live on fixed incomes and may not be able to afford to lose large sums of money.
Guest 2: It can be very stressful for elderly people who fall victim to telephone fraud. They may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or isolated if they’ve lost a lot of money or confided in someone they thought was their child or grandchild. These scams can also contribute to financial insecurity and make it harder for them to maintain their standard of living. Additionally, the emotional toll can lead to physical health problems and even depression.
Thematic Section II: Awareness and Prevention
Interviewer: What can elderly people do to protect themselves from telephone fraud?
Guest 1: The Göppingen police department recommends that elderly people be cautious when responding to unknown message writers, especially if they’re pressured into taking immediate action. They should verify the identity of the sender by contacting their family directly and not using the callback function provided in the message. They should also avoid giving out personal information or money to someone they don’t know.
Guest 2: Senior citizens should educate themselves about common scams and stay vigilant. It’s important to maintain strong relationships with family and friends who can help them spot suspicious behavior. They should also report any unsolicited messages that seem suspicious to the police. Dr. Froböse mentions that the German Senior Council has produced informative bro
