By demanding a deposit, con artists who pretended to be family members over the phone made considerable money from an elderly woman in Speldorf.

Highly emotional topic

At around 12 p.m., the senior citizen received a call from a crying woman who claimed to be her niece. She stated that she had caused a traffic accident and hit a cyclist. The cyclist has now died and is therefore in custody.

High deposit required

The alleged public prosecutor “Mrs. Rüsing” then took over the phone call and demanded a deposit of 95,000 euros in order to immediately release the niece from custody. The senior citizen denied this amount and was instead asked to collect all the cash.

The packed sum should then be brought to the Düsseldorf court cash register. Otherwise, a messenger could also pick up the money. In the meantime, the senior citizen should stay on the line and not speak to anyone about the matter.

Shortly afterwards, a 25- to 29-year-old messenger with black hair appeared in front of the house to receive the money. She got into a black car and disappeared in an unknown direction. It was only later that the elderly woman realized that she had fallen victim to tricksters.

Looking for witnesses

Witnesses who noticed something in the Karlsruher Straße/Blötter Weg/Schumannstraße area in Essen in the early afternoon can contact the Essen police on 0201/829-0.

The police point out in this context:

  • Be suspicious if you are suddenly asked to hand over/transfer large amounts of money/valuables.
  • Call your daughter/son/grandson/nephew/niece on the familiar number and make sure they have actually contacted you and are in an emergency situation.
  • Don't let yourself be
    put under any time or emotional pressure! End such conversations as quickly as possible!
  • Do not give strangers any information about your family or
    financial circumstances - even if they claim to be
    police officers or public prosecutors.
  • Police never require bail in connection with an
    arrest.
  • Police never require bail in connection with an
    arrest.
  • If you find anything suspicious, inform the police immediately by calling the police emergency number 110.

Inform older people

Help to fend off fraudsters without loot and, above all, inform older people in your environment! You are welcome to use brochures from the police. You can find these here:

Source: Essen Police via press portal

Also interesting: Flight delayed or canceled? What rights do travelers have?


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