It started like a normal day for a senior citizen in the Eichlinghofen district of Dortmund until the phone ringing shook her world. In this shocking call, a crying caller claiming to be her son reported a tragic traffic accident. What followed was a perfidious game with trust and emotions as weapons.

The psychology behind shock calls

Scammers use a variety of tactics to get their victims' money. One of the most perfidious, however, is the shock call. The victim is confronted with an unexpected, emotionally charged scenario that requires quick action in a very short time. This pressure to act combined with the emotional stress often leads to irrational actions.

The perpetrators' double game

But that call was just the beginning. After the elderly woman found out about her son's tragic accident, in which a baby was allegedly killed and the mother fell into a coma, a "police officer" came onto the scene. He told her that bail would have to be posted for her son's release. The sum? 65,000 euros.

The manipulation continued. The supposed police officer gave clear instructions not to tell anyone about the conversation and not to try to contact the son. The perpetrators' aim was to shield the senior citizen from external influences that could warn her about the fraud.

A false prosecutor and the end of the drama

The peak of the fraud occurred on Monday morning. A man who identified himself as a prosecutor showed up at the elderly woman's apartment to collect the deposit. However, the story took an ugly turn when he not only took the money but also pushed the senior citizen to the ground, injuring her in the process.

What can we learn from this story?

The fact that perpetrators operate with such a level of preparation and sophistication underscores the need for vigilance and educating older family members about the risks of such scams. It is important to realize that the police or other official bodies would never ask for money over the phone.

Fraud prevention measures

  • Always be critical when receiving unexpected calls, especially if the caller tells emotional stories.
  • If in doubt, always end the call and call the official number of the institution provided by the callers.
  • Never hand over money or reveal personal information under pressure.
  • Seniors should regularly be informed about such fraud methods by their family members and friends.

Conclusion

The shock call scam in Dortmund shows how far fraudsters will go to exploit their victims. Playing with emotions and applying pressure are their main tactics. It is important to be vigilant and protect yourself and those around you from such attacks. An informed and vigilant public is the best defense against such fraudsters.

Source:

Press portal

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