Police warn of new scam: That’s behind it

Hans Christian Dirscherl

As a rule, telephone scammers use the grandchild trick or pretend to be Microsoft employees, police officers or bank employees. But the Korbach police are now warning of a new scam: a man called a senior citizen and pretended to be an employee of the Frankfurt District Court. He claimed that the woman had a claim of 600 euros. If the woman would not pay this amount, her account would have to be blocked.

The intimidated woman fell for the scam and made an appointment to have the money handed over to a messenger. This messenger appeared promptly and took 500 euros from the lady. She didn’t have the remaining 100 euros at home. She promised to pay the missing 100 euros the next day.

Bank employee becomes suspicious

In fact, the caller called again the next day and announced that a courier was coming to pick up the outstanding balance – it’s hard to surpass that insolence. The lady now went to her bank to collect the 100 euros and to inquire about a possible account blocking, which the alleged employee of the district court had mentioned. The bank employee immediately suspected fraud and advised the lady to inform the police. The police immediately began investigating, but the announced messenger did not appear and the search came to nothing.

What is remarkable about this case is the comparatively low amount that the scammers are demanding. This is obviously intended to lower the inhibition threshold for those called to pay this claim.

The police advise