Young gang defrauds seniors: 200,000 euros through shock calls!

Young gang defrauds seniors: 200,000 euros through shock calls!

In a shocking trial that began on July 23, 2025 in Kassel, a 19-year-old defendant is on trial for commercial gang fraud. He is accused of, together with three accomplices, defrauding elderly people of around 200,000 euros. The scam, which turned out to be particularly perfidious, included so-called shock calls in which victims were informed about alleged accidents by relatives. During these calls, the seniors were threatened with jail time if they didn't pay bail, the reports Hesse show.

The 19-year-old who acted as “collector” in these schemes received 1,000 euros for each successful collection. He was involved in a total of eight fraud schemes, seven of which were successful. However, his “career” ended abruptly when he was arrested by the police during the eighth handover. A 71-year-old woman from Kassel saw through the scam and set a trap for the perpetrators. While she was keeping the fraudster on the phone, her husband informed the police, who then intervened during the fake handover.

Courageous senior woman as a heroine

For her courageous efforts, the senior citizen was later honored by the police for her civil courage. The defendant himself did not deny his crime, but stated that he had no awareness of the criminal nature of his actions. He described himself as a “puppet” and emphasized that he urgently needed the money for his family in Poland.

The trial continues on July 24, where an expert witness will testify. The police in Hesse repeatedly warn against such shock calls, which are increasingly aimed at senior citizens. The criminal activities are not new: The fraudsters use various methods to put their victims under pressure and get them to hand over money or valuables quickly. False relatives or police officers are often behind the calls, urging callers to hand over money immediately. They often report traffic accidents that can only be paid for in cash, or alleged crimes for which bail is required, according to the police website Police advice.

How to protect yourself

To protect yourself from such attempted fraud, the police recommend several measures. If you are unsure, you should call the emergency number 110 and not respond to callback offers. It is advisable to break off conversations if you feel under pressure and instead contact relatives on the known number. Important safety note: Never give out personal or financial information over the phone and never give money or valuables to unknown people.

Fortunately, there are always people who can put a stop to the fraudsters and protect others, like the courageous woman from Kassel who made a decisive contribution to the arrest in this case.