A chain letter has been distributed in various versions for two days. Even if it looks different every time, the content remains the same! Apparently there is a new scam in child abductions in Berlin. Unknown people stand at the stops with a minibus on which you can see the BVG logo and tell the kids that the actual bus has broken down - and that this is now a replacement for it.
Chain letter: child abduction in Berlin?
There are different versions of the chain letter and apparently even a pediatrician has already posted it. Here are some of these chain letters.
The chain letter as wording: “Attention Stop!! If you have children and don't share that, you don't need to talk to me! Protect your children! There is another new child abduction scam in Berlin. Minibuses line up at the stops with the BVG logo and tell the children that the bus has been canceled and that this would be a replacement/a replacement trip. Please pay attention and tell your children that they should get on the big buses. Avoid the minibuses / The children should only get on the big buses. Definitely not in such a small bus. Share share share!!!!!!!!!!”
We have asked individual USERS who share this chain letter as well as the BERLIN POLICE and the BERLINER VERKEHRBETRIEBEN (BVG)!
The result or current status is:
User survey: When asked where they got this information from or whether they had observed such an incident, the answer we received was: “No, I didn’t observe it myself and I’m only sharing it because “everyone” shares it”.
Berlin police: “We have no valid information about this picture or the facts described there .
Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe: “…we have already received the news several times. Security has already been informed about this. We are currently working with the police to check whether there is anything to it.”
We will continue to monitor this topic closely, as similar warnings have been issued repeatedly in recent years. However, in the end we were always able to expose these claims as false information.
UPDATE February 24, 2023 / 1:52 p.m.: The Berlin police have now confirmed via Twitter that it is a FAKE.
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Note: Vigilance and sensitivity are very important, but “scaremongering” is out of place.
Tips from the Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office on the topic: When strangers approach children!
When children are approached by strangers on the street or in vehicles, this worries parents and those responsible for raising them. But only in rare cases are children attacked, abused or even killed by unknown people. Most of these crimes are committed by relatives, friends or acquaintances.
That's why it's important to avoid hysteria, rumors and overreactions - but of course to be particularly careful to avoid acts of sexual violence against children.
Information received that children have been approached should not be passed on unchecked (e.g. via WhatsApp groups)!
General tips and rules of conduct:
- Talk to children about such situations to prepare them for them. However, avoid realistic role-playing games so as not to arouse unnecessary fears!
- Build and maintain a foundation of trust with children so that they can report on special events at home!
- Children must be constantly reminded that they are not allowed to walk with anyone or get into someone else's car without parental permission (children should never go too close to vehicles, even if someone wants to ask something - regardless of whether it is a man or a woman) !
- Children need to internalize that it is a lie if you say something like “GOING WITH” e.g. B. Sweets or small dogs/cats are promised!
- Children need to know that they can and should always “SAY NO” to adults! parents should practice exclaiming: “No, I don’t want that!”
- If possible, let children go to school or play in groups!
- Explain to children that they will NEVER be picked up by “strangers”!
- When children talk about experiences, attacks, threats or observations, parents should listen carefully (don't blame children for misbehavior, otherwise nothing will be said - on the contrary: children should be praised for confiding)!
- School bags or backpacks should not have the child's name or address on the outside (perpetrators use this knowledge to build trust)!
In case of emergency:
- Show children where they can get help in an emergency (people, groups of people, shops, practices, offices, homes, etc.)!
- Tell children that in an emergency, for example: B. you can also “RUN AWAY” and loudly “CRY FOR HELP” (JUST DON’T HIDE )!
- Dial “110”! The police always help and immediately! ( Source )
Related to the topic: Chain letters on the Internet: How to recognize them and protect yourself from them
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 )