Whether by phone or at the front door, fraudsters try to get their victims' money and valuables in a variety of ways and forms. Senior citizens in particular are often the target of the perpetrators.
According to the LKA, the "grandchild trick" and "fake policeman" scams alone caused damage of more than 39 million euros to senior citizens in North Rhine-Westphalia between 2017 and 2019.
As part of the "Safe in old age" campaign, the State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia provides information material, which you can find in the download area.
Your contact in the event of fraud against senior citizens at the police in the Rhine district of Neuss is Criminal Chief Inspector Christoph Kaiser.
Helpful information can also be found in the brochure "Smarter against fraudsters".
The perpetrators usually speak German. They are eloquent, unscrupulous and exert massive pressure on their victims. To increase their own credibility, the fraudsters sometimes deliberately manipulate their own phone number, which appears on the victim's phone display. This is technically possible using software and is called "call ID spoofing".
The methods are very different, but in all cases the fraudsters only want one thing: to get money and valuables from the people they call.
As these attempts unfortunately occur again and again, the police advise:
- Be suspicious if someone does not introduce themselves by name! Offenders often search for older-sounding names in the telephone directory and start their conversation as a supposed grandchild with "Guess who's here..."
- Under no circumstances should you agree to demands for money and hang up. Call the person in question on the number you know, this will quickly clarify any doubts.
- Dial the number yourself when calling. Make sure that the previous call has actually ended! Only if you have actually hung up can you start a new call and not remain unnoticed on the previous line.
- Do not believe promises of prizes over the phone - especially if the redemption of the prize is subject to conditions! Do not make any advance payments on promised prizes - a reputable company will never make the prize payout dependent on an advance payment. Do not allow yourself to be put under pressure on the phone - notaries, employees of reputable companies or members of German law enforcement agencies would never coerce or harass you on the phone to transfer money!
- The police will never ask you on the phone where valuables and/or cash are kept, nor will they ask for personal details for comparison. If a caller pretends to be a police officer and claims that your name is on a dubious list, be skeptical and end the call.
- Be generally suspicious when strangers ask about your financial situation.
- Don't just let strangers into your home! Always look through the peephole or window first to see who is there.
- When dealing with public officials, ask to see their ID and call the authorities yourself if necessary. Look up the number yourself.
- Do not allow yourself to be put under pressure on the phone. Authorities and offices that contact you will never put you under such time pressure and demand money.
- In all cases: inform the real police if you think a call is suspicious or if you have been the victim of a scam, either by calling 02131 300-0 or the emergency number 110.
Even if you are uncomfortable with the fact that you have already been a victim: Do not hesitate to contact the police! Fraudsters - in whatever role - are very clever, take their victims by surprise and make them feel insecure.
By making a statement, you may be able to help track down the perpetrators.
Further information and information material for download can also be found here.
Helpful tips on the individual cases can be found at the following link:
https://www.polizei-beratung.de/themen-und-tipps/
+++Tips for cab drivers:
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for fraudsters to order a cab for their victim to drive them to the bank or pick them up there. Sometimes the cab driver finds something strange about the behavior of an elderly passenger or the way the cab was requested. And they ask - this can also prevent fraud, as a case from the Rhine district of Neuss shows.
Don't look away if you have the impression that something is wrong! Here are a few helpful tips and hints for cab drivers: