Gigantic raid: Callcenter fraudster gangs in Europe!

Gigantic raid: Callcenter fraudster gangs in Europe!

Vienna, Österreich - Today is a striking day in combating call center fraud. A Europe -wide raid against a criminal gang that acts internationally was carried out. Over 170 suspects are the focus of the investigation, while the police assume more than 30,000 fraud cases that have led to a damage of at least eight million euros. The operation includes searches in several countries, including Germany, Greece, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In Austria there were five raids in which a person was arrested. The investigation was supported by the state criminal offices from Lower Austria, Upper Austria and Tyrol. In a total of 35 residential and business premises of 39 suspects, the fraud is said to have taken place under the guise of alleged bank employees or police officers. The perpetrators used fake collections, court resolutions and reminders in order to cheat older people in particular at home and abroad. In Dresden, the public prosecutor and the Saxon State Criminal Police Office carried out three arrest warrants. [A]

coordinated international investigations

The extensive searches took place on Tuesday morning and were coordinated by various police forces. Connected items include cell phones, data carriers and documents that are to be used to clarify the fraud. The investigation is aimed at commercial and gangs as well as money laundering and illustrate the dimension of the phenomenon. Callcenter fraud is a central problem that is often organized from Turkey or Eastern Europe. The perpetrators use various methods, such as the "grandchild trick" or the identity of police officers, to manipulate their victims and bring to the disclosure of sensitive data. [B]

Added should be mentioned that despite the current decline in fraud crime in Germany, a significant part of the trick frauds from abroad takes place. In 2024, over 642,000 crowds were registered by the police, with 513,000 of them being fraudulent. However, the clarification rate for these acts is only 5.4 percent, which illustrates the challenges for the law enforcement authorities. This decline in the reported cases of fraud illustrates the need for prevention measures, especially in sensitive target groups such as seniors. These should be informed about possible fraud stitches and sensitized to be suspicious of quick money. [C]

The combined action of the European security authorities shows the urgency of combating this kind of crime and the need for international cooperation. The police amplifying their measures to combat fraud crime to help potential victims and to hold the perpetrators into account.