Every week I get emails telling me that someone has left me their 7-figure fortune. And every now and then someone calls and tells me that I've won a trip, that there's something wrong with my bank account, etc. We already know these tricks and don't fall for them so easily. But the "analog world" is also full of risks.
However, shock calls are a particularly perfidious method. And these are usually professionally prepared. Entire call centers outside the EU have specialized in this and rely on the fact that older people in particular are prepared to react gullibly to shock calls.
Of course, the callers do not know the names of their grandchildren, for example, but the call is so cleverly designed that this is not noticeable or you even reveal the name yourself.
That is why Wilhelm Schäfer, senior citizens and security advisor in the police's honorary office, sent us the following information:
POL-AC: Telephone fraud and shock calls - it's everyone's business
Putting pressure on victims, influencing them emotionally, making a lot of money. The criminals who hide behind scam calls have many ways of taking money (or other valuables) out of their victims' pockets.
Many people are probably already familiar with the scam and yet anyone can become a victim. "It can't happen to me!" is what some people think when they hear or read about the shock calls.
But just imagine: Weeks later, the phone rings, stressed by appointments and meetings, you pick up the receiver. On the other end is an unknown voice that introduces itself as a judge from the local district court, a criminal investigator from the local police department or an employee of the bank, the insurance company or someone else.
But let's stay with the judge: "Your daughter caused a fatal traffic accident. We had to arrest her. If you post bail, she can go for now." In seconds, a thought flashes through your mind "I haven't heard from my daughter today...", your alarm bells go off, your pulse and adrenaline levels rise. The judge offers you the opportunity to speak to your daughter briefly. You agree. At the other end, you suddenly hear a sobbing female voice apologizing in tears "Mum/Dad, I'm so sorry! I just didn't see the child. Please do something! I'm so scared!" In your head, you are already calculating how much money you can raise in a hurry... €10,000, €20,000, €100,000 if you have to!
An hour later, you have collected the money and the messenger from the local court arrives at your front door, takes the cash and disappears. Your adrenaline level drops a little and you put on your shoes to pick up your daughter at the local court as discussed with the judge. Suddenly your cell phone rings, your daughter is on the phone: "Hi mom/dad, I wanted to ask if you'd like to come over for a coffee? I've just baked a cake." Only then do you realize that your daughter hasn't been in a traffic accident, you've been the victim of a scam and will probably never see the money again.
A shock call could go like this. But it doesn't have to, the scammers' scams are varied and often unscrupulous. Even if you think that something like this cannot happen to you, talk to other people about it and protect your fellow human beings from immense financial and emotional damage. Whether at the bakery, in the hairdressing salon, on the bus, in the bank branch or anywhere else: talk to other people about it and help put a stop to the scammers.
You can use the following tips and advice to do this:
- The police, the court and other state bodies would
- Never ask for cash or valuables over the phone.
- Do not allow yourself to be put under pressure.
- Do not disclose any details of your personal or financial circumstances over the phone.
- If you think the police or a court is on the phone: deliberately end the call, press the "hang up" button and dial 110 yourself.
- Call your relatives, their partner, family or friends on their telephone number.
- If you have become a victim: Don't be ashamed. Anyone can fall victim to such a scam!(kg)
Please send any queries to:
Police Aachen
Press office
Phone: 0241 / 9577 - 21211
E-mail: Pressestelle.Aachen@polizei.nrw.de