On Tuesday 11 October 2022, two fraud attempts from the Teltow-Fläming district were reported to the police. According to current knowledge, a couple received a phone call from an unknown person. This announced that the son of the two elders had caused a fatal car accident and that now a deposit of tens of thousands of euros would have to be paid. The elders were already in the bank taking the money. There, however, the employees told them about the scam. They then called their son, who confirmed that the alleged car accident never happened.
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.
There have been fraudulent calls in the Teltow-Fläming district. (Source: State and Federal Police Crime Prevention) With these so-called “called shock” the executioners take advantage of the shocking moments by calling their victims and posing as 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 mercy towards alleged relatives, it aims to persuade the often elderly victims not to question the truth and to 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 and 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 on a money transfer? 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.
Just last Sunday, October 9, 2022, a similar fraud case occurred in the Teltow-Fläming district (our report on the events of October 10, 2022 follows):
Teltow-Fläming district, Blankenfelde-Mahlow
WhatsApp scam
Registration time: Sunday 9 October 2022, around 20:00
The fraud was reported to the police on Sunday evening, October 9, 2022. An elderly man had previously received a message from an unknown phone number via the WhatsApp messaging service, where the sender had pretended to be his daughter. Then they asked for a money transfer. The injured party believed it and transferred money several times. Only later did she realize that it was a scam. The police filed a corresponding criminal complaint. The criminal police are conducting further investigations.
In this context, the police underline:
- Ask personally if you are contacted by a previously unknown mobile number via messaging services such as WhatsApp. First try to contact the respective family member who is now allegedly contacting you on the known number.
- Be wary of requests for money payments through these services.
- Scammers often create fake invoices using the real company name and logo to reinforce their demand for money or try to increase their credibility.
- If it turns out to be a scam, report it to the police.
You can find more information and tips on the subject, as well as a special awareness campaign, on the Federal and State Police Crime Prevention website at:
There you will also find the following tips to help you protect yourself from scammers:
- Check your code: Never share the six-digit account verification code you received via SMS when you signed up.
- Verify PIN: Set a personal PIN for your account, also known as two-step verification.
- Check your photo: Protect your profile picture so that only your contacts can see it.
- Check your contact: if alleged contacts ask you for a favor, eg. B. For money or other financial benefits, verify your identity by asking for a voice message or simply calling.
