Fraudulent calls shock pensioners: lost 180,000 euros!

Fraudulent calls shock pensioners: lost 180,000 euros!

Oberösterreich, Österreich - The police urgently warns of a new wave of fraud attempts that are particularly directed against older people. In the past two weeks in Upper Austria, especially in the districts of Welsland and Gmunden, there have been massive cases of shock calls in which the fraudsters pretend to be police officers or prosecutors. According to 5min , the fraudsters have converted the brazen stitch to have caused a family member to have a serious traffic accident. To prevent the impending arrest, demand a deposit.

A particularly dramatic example occurred on May 21, 2025, when an 85-year-old pensioner became the victim of such a fraud and was cheated by her assets with 100,000 euros. Just a day later, an 84-year-old fell victim to a similar fraud. She was explained by an alleged clinic employee that her son was in a critical condition and urgently needed 80,000 euros for a medication.

fraud stitches in detail

The scam's stitch is perfidious. In the background of the phone calls, emotionally charged noises such as crying or sobbing a voice can be heard in order to further increase the pressure on the victims. The police expressly point out that she would never request money on the phone and that there are no deposits in Austria. The warning applies in particular to older people who are more susceptible to such manipulations.

But not only in Austria these calls are a problem. Similar stitches are also reported in Germany, with tricksters often receiving an invoice for system calls from "Europol" or the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). The representatives of the consumer advice center inform that callers usually use unknown or suppressed phone numbers to withdraw their information from the victims. The police appeal to them: always put on immediately when calling calls and inform the local police station to prevent further damage.

prevention and awareness

In order to better protect older people from attempts to fraud, the police provide preventive materials. A brochure with 72 pages, published by the , devoted to the forms of crime that affect older people. Not only telephone frauds, but also dangers on the front door, such as pretending false emergencies, are discussed.