Fraud in Vienna: How an 81-year-old was brought around her saved

Fraud in Vienna: How an 81-year-old was brought around her saved

In Vienna-Margareten there was a shocking incident in which an 81-year-old woman was victim to a refined fraud. Within just three days, the senior citizen managed to visit a total of twelve different banks in order to withdraw high amounts of money and dissolve savings books. This was done on the advice of perpetrators who spoke as bank employees and police officers. In this way, the fraudsters succeeded in winning and manipulating the lady's trust.

The fraud began with a phone call from someone who spent a bank employee. He warned the woman of a supposed danger from an unknown person who tried to steal her bank details. In order to further escalate the situation, a man called a little later, who introduced himself as head of the data protection department. He made the woman believe that it was urgently needed to withdraw her money and entrust it to him to protect it from access by third parties.

manipulation and their consequences

The fraudsters' strategy opened. Despite numerous warnings of such machinations, the senior fell on the tricks of the crooks. She followed the instructions and visited several bank branches in Vienna, where she picked up considerable sums. She also did the dissolution of her savings books without suspicion in the banks. Nobody warned them of their conspicuous behavior or asked questions about the sudden withdrawals.

In the end, the woman gave the withdrawal cash unknown persons for the alleged "safe custody". The criminal police have launched these circumstances, which has now taken over the investigation.

The search for the perpetrator

The State Criminal Police Office Vienna has now created a phantom image of the alleged perpetrator. This is described as large, about 170 to 180 cm, with a narrow face, a three-day beard and an unkempt appearance. The investigators call for the public to provide any information. Anyone who has information about the perpetrator or other victims can contact the State Criminal Police Office on 01-31310-33800.

The police point out again: neither officers from the police nor public prosecutors or bank employees will ever call for a handover of valuables by telephone or personally. The police should be informed immediately under mobile number 133. Further prevention instructions are available from the crime prevention of the State Criminal Police Office in Vienna on 0800-216-346 or by email to LPD-W-LKA-AB-Kriminalpraenvention@polizei.gv.at.

Details about the incident are still sparse, but this is a clear wake -up call for all citizens to be more careful. The perpetrator's stitch is sophisticated and is aimed specifically against older people, who are often less familiar with digital fraud techniques. The incident in Vienna Margaret illustrates how urgently we should all listen to such warnings and which measures must be taken to prevent such fraud. For more information about this incident, it is worth taking a look at the detailed report at www.kosmo.at .