The grandchild scam is an increasingly common phenomenon that particularly targets older people. Approximately 60,000 complaints were recorded in 2023, an alarming sign of how widespread and harmful this scam is. This article explains how the grandchild trick works, who the victims are, and offers valuable tips on how to protect yourself.

Understanding the Grandchildren Trick Scam

The grandchild scam is a sophisticated fraud method in which criminals pose as relatives or close friends and ask their victims for money. They take advantage of the good faith and often the helpfulness of older people. This type of fraud has become widespread in recent years and has manifested itself in various forms.

Statistics and facts

In 2023, the Federal Network Agency received around 60,000 complaints, mainly concerning the grandchild trick. This number illustrates the urgency of the problem. However, it is difficult to provide more precise comparison figures as this type of fraud has only recently begun to be specifically recorded.

Methods of scammers

The fraudsters usually contact their victims via SMS or chat programs, pretend to be relatives in need and ask for quick financial help. What is surprising is that communication often takes place exclusively via messages in order to avoid exposure through voice.

Victim of fraud

The victims are mainly older people who are easier to deceive because of their concern for family members or friends. The scammers cleverly play on the emotions of their victims to get them to transfer money.

Measures by the Federal Network Agency

The Federal Network Agency plays a central role in the fight against grandchild fraud. For example, in 2023, around 6,500 fraudulent numbers were deactivated. These measures are intended to curb abuse and protect consumers.

Prevention tips

If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a message, it is advisable to call the person concerned directly to clarify the situation. Likewise, one should be careful when contacted via a new number, as this is a common feature of the modern grandchild trick.

Modern variants of the grandchild trick

A worrying development is the use of AI technologies to imitate voices and create so-called deepfakes. These are used to simulate shock calls and persuade victims to transfer money.

Email and messaging precautions

It is important not to click on links or open attachments contained in suspicious emails or messages. Such actions can lead to the installation of malware or reveal sensitive data.

Telephone fraud and remote maintenance software

Scammers sometimes ask their victims to install certain programs or apps. This is often remote maintenance software that gives the fraudsters full access to the victim's computer.

Education and prevention

The consumer advice centers recommend informing relatives and friends about such scams in order to create awareness. Anyone who has heard of a scam before is less susceptible to such fraud attempts.

Data leaks and hacker attacks

Fraudsters often obtain contact information through data leaks or hacker attacks. Although there is little you can do to prevent such data breaches, it is advisable to remove your phone number from public directories to minimize the risk.

Dealing with recurring scam calls

If you are regularly harassed by certain numbers, you should block them and report them to the Federal Network Agency. You can also adjust privacy settings in messaging apps to protect yourself from unknown callers.

Privacy settings in messaging apps

In apps like WhatsApp you can make settings to block or mute calls from unknown people. Such measures can help protect yourself from unwanted contacts.

Case studies and experience reports

This section contains real-life examples of grandchild scams and the experiences of those affected. These stories illustrate the tricks used by scammers and the impact on victims.

Legal consequences for fraudsters

The legal consequences for such fraud offenses are discussed, including prosecution and possible penalties.

Cooperation between authorities and telecommunications companies

Effectively combating grandchild fraud requires the cooperation of various institutions. This section highlights how authorities and companies are working together to combat this type of fraud.

Questions and answers:

  1. Signs of a grandchild scam:
    • The caller claims to be a close relative, usually a grandchild, and is in an emergency situation (e.g. accident, financial difficulties).
    • The caller asks for money and insists on a quick transfer or handover.
    • The caller wants the conversation to remain secret.
  2. What to do if you receive a suspicious call or message:
    • Be skeptical if you are asked for money, especially if it is a large sum.
    • Verify the caller's identity by asking personal questions that only the real relative can answer.
    • Hang up and call the supposed relative back at the known number.
    • Tell the police if you suspect attempted fraud.
  3. Protective measures for you and your family:
    • Inform older family members about the grandchild trick.
    • Create a list of trusted contacts.
    • Do not use automated answering machines with names or other personal information.
  4. Consequences for fraudsters:
    • If fraudsters are caught, they face criminal consequences, including fines or imprisonment.
  5. Checking the authenticity of a message:
    • Be wary of messages that are pressurizing or suggestive of emotional distress.
    • Verify the information by calling the person concerned.
    • Be wary of unknown numbers or unusual payment requests.
  6. Role of the Federal Network Agency:
    • The Federal Network Agency can help combat grandchild fraud by blocking fraudulent telephone numbers and implementing monitoring measures.
    • It works with other authorities to prevent and investigate such fraud cases.

Conclusion

It is important that we all remain vigilant and educate ourselves about the different methods of grandchild trick fraud. Through education and caution, we can protect ourselves and our (elderly) loved ones from these fraudulent schemes.

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Source: Federal Network Agency

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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )