The perpetrators use the names of real public officials to make their story appear even more credible. The fraudsters often call older people and manipulate their victims in phone calls lasting hours. They try to gain the victims' trust with convincing stories. Allegedly, a burglary in the apartment or house is imminent or the police have found black money in their accounts.
In all cases, the perpetrators urge the victims to hand over valuables and cash to a "colleague" for their own protection. In order not to jeopardize the investigation, the victim should not talk to anyone about the incident.
The perpetrators use skillful conversation to persuade the victims to take all their cash and sometimes even the contents of safe deposit boxes home and then hand them over to a supposed police officer.
The perpetrators often operate from "call centers" abroad. They use what is known as "call ID spoofing". This enables a freely selectable telephone number to be shown on the called party's display via internet telephony. The true origin of the call is not only disguised, but the impression is created that the call is actually from the police. However, when the real police call, the number 110 never appears on the telephone display.
Many of those called react correctly to the telephone terror, hang up and call the police on 110. Nevertheless, as in one case in Münster, the perpetrators repeatedly succeed in putting people under so much pressure that they follow their instructions.
If you receive such a call, the police recommend:
- Listen to the name, hang up, call your local police authority on 110 and describe the facts.
- Do not give unknown persons any information about your financial situation or other sensitive data.
- Do not open the door to unknown persons.
- Consult a trusted person.
- Never hand over money or valuables to unknown persons, alleged employees of the police, public prosecutor's office, courts or financial institutions.
- If you have been the victim of such a call, always contact the police and file a complaint.
You can find more information and a video here.
