The perpetrators specifically call older people and pretend to be police officers, public prosecutors or other officials. They display the telephone number of local police stations, the BKA or 110 with an area code on the telephone display.
They then try to win the victim's trust with a convincing story. Allegedly, a burglary in the apartment or house is imminent or the police have found black money in their accounts.
"These are just two examples of many that are used to deceive the victim. The perpetrators demand that cash and valuables be handed over to a supposed colleague," says Dieter Kretzer, Head of Strategic Crime Prevention at the NRW State Criminal Police Office.
The amount of damage in NRW reaches millions. Many of those called react correctly to the telephone terror, hang up and call the police on 110. Nevertheless, as in one case in Münster, the perpetrators repeatedly succeed in putting people under so much pressure that they follow their instructions.
If you receive such a call, the police recommend:
- Listen to the name, hang up and call your local police authority on 110.
- Do not give unknown persons any information about your financial situation or other sensitive data.
- Do not open the door to unknown persons.
- Consult a person you trust.
- Never hand over money or valuables to unknown persons, alleged employees of the police, public prosecutor's office, courts or financial institutions.
- If you have been the victim of such a call, always contact the police and file a complaint.
Further information can be found here.