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Alarm in Aschaffenburg: Fake police officers are up to mischief!
In Aschaffenburg, police and consumer advice centers are warning about fraudsters who pose as police officers in order to take money from older people.
Alarm in Aschaffenburg: Fake police officers are up to mischief!
A worrying trend has recently been observed in Aschaffenburg: On Wednesday, numerous citizens received calls from fake police officers. These scammers particularly target older people and use insidious stories to deceive their victims. They make up stories about alleged fatal accidents caused by relatives. They are often asked to hand over cash or valuables to “protect against theft”.
The police underline the urgency of the issue and recommend that you hang up immediately when receiving such calls and dial 110 yourself. It is important to inform the police if such a call has occurred. Real police officers never demand money or valuables over the phone. This is a key message that the police convey in their prevention campaigns. About the “Leg’auf!” initiative informs them that citizens should not be misled by such scams. This campaign started at the end of 2020 and was supplemented by the “I protect Grandma and Grandpa” campaign, which was launched in July 2022.
Fraudsters' scams
The fraudsters' methods are varied and extremely sophisticated. Automatic announcements from institutions such as “Europol”, “Interpol” or the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) are often used on the telephone in order to create the impression of seriousness. These calls often come from unknown or suppressed numbers, making it difficult to identify the perpetrators. A typical scenario is that the caller claims that there is evidence of a planned break-in at the callee's living quarters. They then put pressure on the victims by claiming that money and valuables are not safe in the house and that a “plainclothes police officer” will come by to collect them.
These fictitious police officers often threaten criminal consequences if the victims do not cooperate. The consumer advice centers warn that real authorities would never make such demands. Scammers can also use call ID spoofing to display false phone numbers, making it even more difficult for victims to assess the integrity of the caller.
Prevention and safety tips
The police offer important tips to prevent such fraud attempts. This includes not handing over any amounts of money or valuables to strangers. It is also advisable to talk to friends, neighbors and relatives about these scams and inform each other. If you receive suspicious calls, you should immediately contact your local police station and file a report.
For further information about scams and safety tips, those interested can visit the police and consumer advice centers websites. Use the resources and be vigilant – protecting yourself from fraud is in your own hands. Educate yourself, stay vigilant and share your knowledge with others to work together against fraudsters.
Further information can be found at Aschaffenburg News, Ververbraucherzentrale and Polizei Advice.