The Federal Criminal Police Office in Austria is currently warning about the so-called “water trick”. Two women ring the bell, begging for money and asking for a glass of water. The older tenant fetches the water while the women unnoticed search the apartment for valuables. This theft trick took place recently in Vienna.

This time it turned out well and both women were arrested:

Police officers from the Lainzer Straße police station arrested two women from Romania, aged 18 and 32, yesterday morning.
They are suspected of ringing the doorbell of a 94-year-old woman and begging her for money. When the lady is said to have given the two of them some money, she was also asked for a glass of water. The two are said to have then followed the lady into the single-family home. The 94-year-old then noticed that the two women were suddenly looking through drawers and boxes, obviously looking for valuables. The lady immediately informed her neighbor, who is said to have come to her aid immediately. It was he who pursued the two suspected thieves and called the police. The women were stopped a few streets away and arrested. They had stolen nothing. The 32-year-old is already known to the authorities for similar offenses.

Protection against trick theft

Tricksters act as representatives of an authority, as an employee of the gas or electricity works, a bank or as a representative of another institution. Con artists are very friendly and helpful, inspire trust and take unscrupulous advantage of their victims.

Fraud at the apartment door is very common and most victims could have prevented it by being more careful and less trusting. If you are asked to sign, read everything carefully. You should especially read the small print carefully!

Only accept deliveries that you know have been ordered by a family member or that you may have been specifically asked to accept by a neighbor.

Tricksters/pickpockets get up close and personal with their victims. First it is jostled, then stolen. Another very popular “scam” is to smear victims with ice cream, ketchup or mustard. The perpetrators help with wiping and can therefore reach into their pockets unnoticed. Another known trick is that the perpetrators drop their wallets. The victim helps collect the coins. Afterwards, the victim is missing their handbag or wallet, for example.

Crime prevention recommendation:

  • NEVER let strangers into your apartment/house
  • Gas, electricity and heating meters will be announced in writing in good time!
  • Always present a lock chain when opening the door to strangers. You can also pass a glass of water or a piece of paper through a crack in the door!
  • Have an official ID card shown (also from officers in uniform).
  • First look through the peephole and only then decide whether to open the door.
  • Do not open the door without first checking (ask!) who wants to be admitted.
  • Neighborly help and knowledge of the right to self-help can prevent crimes.
  • A firm NO, forcefully turning away an uninvited visitor or a loud cry for help can also prevent a crime.

Source: Vienna State Police Directorate

Also read: Illegal publication on Facebook and Whatsapp


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Notes:
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