For a few days now, the Hamburg consumer advice center has been receiving an increasing number of complaints about calls from alleged Europol employees. Consumer advocates warn against getting involved in the phone calls. This is a current scam that involves alleged identity theft. Consumers can lose thousands of euros.

Those called are said to have committed crimes

The calls, which appear to come from German mobile phone numbers, initially start with the following announcement from a computer voice:

“This call is from Europol. We would like to inform you that your identity card number is in misuse. For more information please press 1.”

Anyone who presses the number key on their phone will apparently be redirected to a clerk who will provide further information in English about the alleged identity abuse. According to this, significant crimes were committed abroad in the name of those affected, for example drugs were allegedly trafficked. An arrest is imminent. Europol is the European police authority based in The Hague, Netherlands.

It is possible to stop the investigation by paying money

In order to stop the investigation, the fake Europol employees then explain on the phone that a larger sum of money must be paid. To do this, you can, for example, open an account with the British money transfer service provider Wise and use it to transfer a higher four-digit amount of money to a foreign credit institution. As a service, opening an account with Wise is accompanied by the alleged Europol employee on the phone.

“Anyone who has actually transferred money should immediately contact the payment service provider involved and their own bank to describe the situation,” explains Julia Rehberg from the Hamburg consumer advice center. The consumer advocate also advises filing a criminal complaint. This is possible at any police station or online.

Conclusion

Europol does not call citizens to create a threat scenario so that they transfer large sums of money to avert further prosecution. This is a clear attempt at fraud. Anyone who receives such a call should end the conversation immediately. If money has already flowed, the Hamburg consumer advice center recommends informing the payment service provider and bank immediately and filing a criminal complaint.

Related to the topic: Numerous fake calls in the name of police authorities

Source: Hamburg Consumer Center


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