The target of this scam is primarily older people.
As crime statistics show, they are the least vulnerable population group in most areas of crime. They are therefore particularly hard hit by crime.
Instead of fighting back, they often react with social withdrawal out of shame, fear of reproach, concern for their autonomy and excessive demands.
Call id spoofing (manipulation, concealment of caller ID)
Rip-offs on the telephone are often in the gray area of civil and telecommunications law, the transition to criminal offenses such as fraud etc. is fluid. Current audio examples can be found under the search term "rip-off on the phone" or "spoofing", e.g. on You Tube.
The amounts of damage are high: €10,000 and more! The number of cases is also increasing here at KPB Minden-Lübbecke. The mostly elderly victims sometimes lose their entire life savings as a result of this scam.
Telephone as a means of crime
Scammers use call ID spoofing (disguising the caller ID). Any number is played and shown on the phone display.
A call from a reputable institution or company is faked. FOR EXAMPLE: Tax office, police, pension insurance, law firm, customs authorities or other authorities. The fraudsters prove time and again that they are very well trained in rhetoric.
The victims are asked by the callers to transfer money, for example
- to avert an impending seizure,
- to receive a profit,
- to avert criminal prosecution,
- etc.
You will usually be asked to pay by paysafecard, Ukash or Western Union. However, couriers are also used to collect the money in person. The victims are instructed in detail by telephone.
All claims, assertions or promises of profit are fraudulent and are used solely to induce the injured parties to pay.
The Crime Prevention / Victim Protection Department of the Mühlenkreis police recommends:
- Always remain suspicious if you do not know the person who sent you the message
- Never talk about money on the phone or with strangers.
- If in doubt, end the call.
- If you are asked for support in a crisis situation, always involve other people you trust in the decision-making process.
- Call the relative who is supposedly in need of help back immediately.
- Call the police.
For further information, please contact the Crime Prevention / Victim Protection Department on 0571-8866-4705.