Telephone fraud through shock calls is becoming an increasingly serious problem. In order to contain the ever-growing wave of these fraudulent activities, the local police department has launched an awareness campaign - with prominent support from television.
Imagine the phone ringing and on the other end is your daughter in tears. She claims she ran over someone. Then a supposed police officer calls and explains that your daughter will go to prison if you don't transfer a large amount of money immediately. This is how shock calls work, in which fraudsters persuade their victims to transfer large amounts of money.
Increase in telephone fraud and its effects
According to Hamburg police, shock calls are a growing problem in the Hanseatic city. In 2021, 549 cases were registered, and in 2022 there were already 1,034. Last year alone, telephone fraudsters caused damage of more than four million euros. This alarming trend continued in the first quarter of the current year: from January to March, fraudsters were able to steal more than 800,000 euros in 16 cases. The authorities speak of professional fraudsters who repeatedly call people, tell them sophisticated stories and ultimately trick them into transferring all of their assets.
Information campaign against telephone fraud
To draw attention to shock calls, the Hamburg police have launched a broad campaign. Celebrities such as 91-year-old actress Luise Lunow and television commissioner Marek Erhardt are actively supporting the awareness campaign. Both believe it is important to protect older people in particular: “It is a great injustice that older people who cannot defend themselves are left out,” says Lunow. Erhardt also emphasizes the responsibility of the younger generation: “It is important that we younger people support and warn our grandparents and friends.”
Police advice: Remain skeptical, if in doubt, hang up
Once you have become a victim of such fraud, it is difficult to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable. The police therefore advise you to always be skeptical about calls from unknown people. “If alleged police officers call and demand money: hang up immediately. “Healthy mistrust is not rudeness,” warns Frauke Hannes from the Hamburg police.
To make the public aware of the problem, posters were distributed throughout the city. The Hamburg police have also published an information brochure with tips and recommendations for action to protect citizens from fraudulent shock callers.
Source: Hamburg Police
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