Several attempted frauds occurred during the long weekend in the Pforzheim Police Headquarters area, as reported by the Police Headquarters. The scam is the same: the perpetrators always contacted the victim using a number previously unknown to the victim and pretended to be the victims’ children. The scammers pretended there was a financial emergency and, in two cases, convinced victims to make wire transfers in the low to medium four figures. Other people, who were also contacted, managed to unmask the scam attempt in good time by contacting their children on the previously known number.
The police have repeatedly stressed that care should be taken when making contact via WhatsApp. Verify contacts of alleged relatives with new phone numbers by contacting the person in question differently. Never disclose sensitive data via messengers and don’t let yourself be pressured by a supposed emergency situation.
