Scam in Graz

“Fake policeman” ripped off pensioner (73)

The 73-year-old woman handed over a very large sum of money to the fraudsters.

(Bild: thinkstockphotos.de)

Once again, fraudsters posed as "fake police officers" - and once again a pensioner was hit. On Tuesday afternoon, they asked the 73-year-old woman to hand over a large sum of money as a supposed deposit in a parking lot in the Gries district of Graz.

"A close relative is involved in a traffic accident." This is how the Graz-based fraudsters called the 73-year-old pensioner, who was then supposed to take large sums of money from her. "The person is in custody. You have to pay bail," the "fake policeman" told her in broken German.

Persuaded with ten phone calls
The next person to speak up was a woman. She pretended to be a public prosecutor from the Graz-West district court and emphasized the man's demand. Using a suppressed number, they made a total of ten phone calls until they were able to persuade the woman to hand over the supposed bail money.

"False police officer" scam

• Elderly people are targeted with calls
• Offenders pretend to be police officers on the phone
• They make up stories to get money

How to protect yourself:

• Beware of unknown callers!
• Talk to relatives or friends immediately (even if the caller doesn't want you to)!
• Do not disclose any details about your assets!
• Contact the police (133) and report the incident!

The 73-year-old woman paid the amount of money demanded. On Tuesday afternoon at around 3 p.m., they met to hand over the money at a Hofer parking lot in the Gries district of Graz. A so-called "pick-up woman" - a woman about 1.60 meters tall, 20 to 30 years old with black hair and a southern appearance - was already waiting for them.

This serious scam is not an isolated case, emphasizes the police and gives tips on how to recognize such a scam. The following applies: The police will not call you to ask for money. And they do not come to collect money from someone's home.