The Rhineland-Palatinate State Criminal Police Office (LKA) warns of fraudulent calls from people pretending to be employees of the European police authority Europol. These are currently being identified nationwide.
On the phone, the perpetrators usually claim that personal data has been stolen from those affected and that criminals are now using this data to commit crimes. With this scam, the perpetrators try to persuade the people they call, often older people, to hand over or transfer amounts of money or to obtain information about personal and financial circumstances in order to prepare further crimes.
A supposed “officer” claimed that he was a victim of identity theft!
Such calls have already been registered in Rhineland-Palatinate. Unfortunately, a victim from the Rheinhessen-Nahe area recently suffered major financial damage. She was cheated out of around 500,000 euros with the scam. An alleged “officer” claimed that she was the victim of identity theft. Bank accounts were opened in her name and cars were rented in her name. The bank accounts would be linked to money laundering and other crimes. A connection between her name and an alleged murder case was also made. The scammers said they wanted to help the woman. In fact, they tricked the woman into making purchases and transactions in cryptocurrencies over several days, thereby stealing around half a million euros. It was only when the perpetrators wanted to get access to the injured party's pension insurance that the fraud was discovered.
Don't be fooled by your phone number!
In many such cases, the faking of a call from a police authority is supported by the fact that the callers actually see a telephone number belonging to Europol or a German police station on their display. In some cases, the perpetrators also describe themselves as police officers or employees of the Federal Police Department or Interpol
The State Criminal Police Office (LKA) expressly points out that the police would never ask for money to be handed over or transferred. This also applies to Europol. You should also not reveal any details about your personal or financial circumstances over the phone.
Further tips from the LKA:
- Do not allow yourself to be drawn into a conversation or put under pressure - Europol has no authority to impose fines or take any other criminal action against you.
- Simply hang up and do not press any key on your telephone, even if you are asked to do so by an announcement!
- Never hand over money to strangers!
- If you receive such a call, inform your local police station or report the matter via our online watchdog. If you have actually received financial damages, please file a report immediately.
Source: Rhineland-Palatinate State Criminal Police Office
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