Caution! Fake police officers via WhatsApp: How to protect yourself!

Caution! Fake police officers via WhatsApp: How to protect yourself!

The Carinthia State Police Directorate has issued a warning warning of a worrying trend: fraudsters posing as police officers and making contact via WhatsApp are trying to defraud older people. The police clearly state that they never communicate via this platform and urge the population to be vigilant. A recent incident in which a woman received an alleged police call via WhatsApp has confirmed that this is an attempted scam. The woman's partner expressed concerns about the danger to seniors from such fraudulent scams.

These fraudsters usually make up complex stories to get money or valuables. Common scams include claiming that burglars have been arrested and to ensure the safety of the assets, they must be handed over. They also claim that a family member caused an accident and needs immediate bail. Using manipulative tactics, scammers ask targeted questions about victims' assets and pressure them not to discuss them with anyone.

Fraud prevention tips

Police emphasize that they never ask for money, ask questions about assets and do not initiate communications via WhatsApp or SMS. People who receive such a call are advised to:

• Bei unbekannten Anrufern vorsichtig zu sein.
• Bei Zweifeln mit vertrauten Personen zu sprechen.
• Sich nicht einschüchtern zu lassen und keine persönlichen Informationen preiszugeben.
• Im Zweifelsfall den Notruf 133 zu wählen.

If you suspect anything, it is recommended to hang up immediately and inform the police.

The dangers of fraud are not limited to Austria. In Germany, con artists stole millions of euros in 2022, especially from senior citizens. The fraudsters often pose as public prosecutors or bank employees. The phenomenon has increased, with Izmir in Turkey considered a hub for call center fraud. Hundreds of calls are made to Germany from there every day. Investigators report well-organized call centers filled with various roles to carry out an efficient fraud.

In Bavaria, for example, fraudsters stole more than 18 million euros in 2022. This can also be seen in other federal states, such as Lower Saxony, where 4.5 million euros were stolen. Police Chief Inspector Haug Schalk emphasizes that many perpetrators have a criminal history and have often fled or been deported. Cooperation between German and Turkish authorities is often complicated, especially when it comes to extraditions, and there is no guarantee of compensation for victims.

The most common scams and tips

Seniors are particularly often the target of these scammers because they often have inexperience in dealing with such situations. The most common scams include:

• Enkeltrick: Betrüger geben sich als Enkel aus und täuschen finanzielle Notlagen vor.
• Bestellbetrug: Senioren bezahlen für Waren, die nie geliefert werden.
• Abo-Falle: Ansonsten kostenlose Angebote verwandeln sich in kostenpflichtige Abonnements.
• Datenklau: Unbefugter Zugriff auf persönliche Informationen führt zu Identitätsdiebstahl.
• Taschendiebstahl: Ablenkungen durch freundliche Personen schaffen Gelegenheiten für Diebstähle.

To protect themselves, seniors should verify the identity of callers and be cautious about offers. It is also advisable not to let strangers into the apartment and to inform the police and the bank immediately if fraud is suspected. Skepticism and communication with friends or family can help prevent these criminal activities.

For more information on this topic, you can read the reports from Cosmo, daily news and Stay mobile consult.