Fake police officers in Vogelsberg: 60,000 euros are gone!

Fake police officers in Vogelsberg: 60,000 euros are gone!

In an alarming development, a man in the Vogelsberg district was cheated out of a whopping 60,000 euros. The fraudsters used a perfidious trick: They pretended to be police officers on the phone and warned about alleged gangs of burglars in the area. They boldly claimed that both the victim's name and address were on a piece of paper. The victim's phone often flashed the local police number or even the emergency number 110, making the scam appear particularly perfidious. But the perpetrators use a technical trick to show arbitrary numbers on the display and thus create a feeling of security, reports FFH.

The methods used by these fraudsters are not new, but they are always frightening. They often act manipulatively and put their victims under massive pressure. Some perpetrators claim to have caught parts of a gang of burglars who carry personal data of the victims. Others claim to be conducting investigations against those called and need their help. Some even claim that there is a mole in the victim's bank who is in the process of emptying lockers and accounts, as NRW Police informs.

Manipulation and pressure

What is special about these scams is the high degree of manipulation that the perpetrators carry out. If there is suspicion or distrust, fraudsters often change their strategy and pressure those called to hand over money or valuables. This can happen in different ways: Sometimes the perpetrators collect the money directly, or they instruct the victims to simply leave valuables on their doorstep or take them to another location. According to [n-tv](https://www.n-tv.de/ratgeber/ Telefonbetrug-Falsche-Polizisten-im-Einsatz-article25624147.html) these calls do not only take place in Hesse, but are a nationwide problem. Police strongly warn that police should never ask for money or personal information over the phone.

The East Hesse police have already responded to the increase in such calls and recommend being suspicious, especially if the caller does not introduce themselves by name. Good advice is to hang up the phone as soon as money is demanded and contact the real police at the known numbers. Informing family members about such scams can also help warn future victims.

Prevention is important

Although fraudsters are constantly developing new tricks, there are tried and tested tips for recognizing and responding to telephone fraud: For example, the police call with a local number, but never from 110. If you receive suspicious calls, you should definitely hang up and note down important information such as the name of the caller and the time. The following also applies: Do not reveal any personal or financial information over the phone!

Prevention is the be-all and end-all. Older people in particular should be informed about the scams used by fake police officers so as not to fall into the trap. Police Hessen also offers comprehensive information and assistance on its website to support people in the region.