Lousy rip off via WhatsApp |
Fraudsters are currently lurking with these scams
Again and again gullible pensioners and parents fall for the mean machinations of scammers. How can you recognize these stitches? What should you pay attention to? BILD does the check: These stories should ring all your alarm bells!
Only on Sunday did a senior (75) from Freital (Saxony) fall for an unknown fraudster. He pretended to be his daughter via a messenger service, who allegedly needed money for a bill.
The senior willingly transferred 1,900 euros. A pensioner in Thuringia also believed the lie that was served to her via an unknown number. She transferred a total of more than 2500 euros.
The police issue weekly warnings about these or similar scams and call for a healthy level of mistrust. However, the criminals are becoming more and more cunning and tell their victims believable stories in which false police officers or alleged doctors also find their place.
Shock Call: The Accident and Prison Hoax
Scammers tend to tell their victims over the phone that close family members were involved in a fatal accident or are even to blame for it. The shock is of course deep at this moment. But the relief that, among other things, the child or the husband is still alive makes one reckless. They willingly transfer the money for the bail to free the family member behind bars.
A woman (54) from Sömma in Thuringia fell for exactly this scam at the beginning of July and gave a fraudster a valuable coin collection. She wanted to protect her son (13) from imprisonment, get him out on bail and handed over the valuable family inheritance. It wasn’t until her son returned from school unsuspecting and unconcerned that she became aware of the dizziness.
The police advise: “Don’t let the callers pressure you and don’t act rashly. Before making any transfers, make sure your family member is actually asking for help. Get in contact! Unfortunately, this often only happens after the money has already been transferred.”
“Guess who’s here!” is often one of the scammers’ first phrases when they call their victim
The grandchild trick via call and WhatsApp
“Hello grandma, I have a new mobile phone. Please save the new number!” – these or similar messages are currently the start of increasing attempts at fraud. Again and again, the willingness to help of older people is exploited.
With the well-known grandchild trick, they sneak up on large amounts of cash, but they don’t stop at jewellery, gold or technology. The scammers sell themselves at an unknown number via phone or WhatsApp as a grandchild in distress. The scammers often text their victims for days to gain trust, until they demand money.
To unmask the scammers, you can ask him about private things that only the relative can know, such as vacations together, hobbies or pets. At best, they reject the caller or block the unknown number.
The police recommend: “Just call your grandchildren or children on the number you are familiar with and check the allegations.” You should also reject a stranger who rings the doorbell at your apartment door and tells you such a story lock the door.
This is how the scam often begins! The perpetrators usually write with their victims for several days
The bank employee deception
In Bautzen, Saxony, a 77-year-old fell into the trap of a telephone scammer last week. The senior was alleged by a Called an employee at his bank branch who wanted to pre-emptively secure his accounts against fraud. The senior gratefully handed over the online access data for his accounts – the scammer cleared 7000 euros.
Police spokesman Kai Siebenäuger warns: “Be particularly vigilant with such a call! Banks never ask their customers for access data over the phone or by email. Do not respond to such calls, hang up immediately and, if in doubt, ask your advisor in person at the bank branch.”
The diverse meshes are often difficult to see through. For more common scams and tips on spotting the scam, presents the police in Saxony on their website.