Fraudsters promise profits and threaten relatives with prison sentences

When filing the complaint, a 68-year-old woman from Frohnhausen reported that she had played a game on an app the day before yesterday (May 23rd), and shortly afterwards a banner appeared on her display informing her that she had won a large sum of money. She was then contacted by telephone by unknown people.

The fraudsters guaranteed that she would be paid out the amount of money she had won if the 68-year-old purchased digital credit cards (here: Google Play cards) to release her winnings. The woman did this and passed on the necessary codes with which the credit could be redeemed to the fraudsters over the phone.

Instead of the winnings being paid out, the Frohnhauser woman received another call from the fraudsters the following day. The payout is delayed because the winner first has to secure the handover of the suitcase with 10 percent of her winnings. This made the senior citizen suspicious. She did the only right thing: she hung up and filed a police report.

In the case of an 83-year-old, fraudsters relied on a shock call.

Fake police officers called the woman around 4:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon (May 24) and told her that her daughter had caused a traffic accident and seriously injured a man. She is currently in the hospital and will be transferred to prison a short time later. The 83-year-old mother could only prevent this by immediately paying 48 thousand euros. The woman collected money and all valuables in her apartment and promptly handed them over to a messenger at the front door. Some time later, the 83-year-old discovered in a conversation with her real daughter that she had become a victim of fraudsters.

The police point out in this context:

• If you win, no fees are due and there is never any advance payment, not even in the form of credit cards. Be suspicious if callers demand money from you or if you are suddenly led to believe you have won - especially if you have not taken part in a competition.
• Never give out personal information: telephone numbers and addresses, account details, sort codes, credit card numbers or similar.
• Call your daughter/son/grandson/nephew/niece on the familiar number and make sure they have actually contacted you and are in an emergency situation.
• Do not give strangers any information about your family or financial circumstances!
• Don't let yourself be put under any time or emotional pressure! End the conversation as quickly as possible!
• Never hand over money or valuables to unknown people - even if they are supposedly acting on behalf of relatives/acquaintances or are pretending to be police officers or public prosecutors.
• Police never require bail in connection with an arrest.
• If you see anything suspicious, inform the police immediately by calling 110!

Source: Essen Police