WSi News2023-07-03 13:41:51
Police unplug international phone scam network
Law enforcement from Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, supported by Europol, have tracked down and arrested the head of a criminal network responsible for defrauding hundreds of elderly citizens. The suspect was taken into custody near London, from where he directed a network of fraudsters targeting mainly German and Polish citizens. While executing the arrest warrant issued by Polish authorities, officers seized crucial evidence such as mobile phones in the suspect’s residence. Meanwhile, German police conducted searches in five locations and seized over EUR 160 000 in cash, gold bars and gold coins, as well as jewellery, phones, and other electronic devices.
Unwitting accomplices sent to collect cash
The organised criminal network specialised in calling elderly citizens across Germany and Poland pretending to be police officers or representing other official authorities. Victims were informed that one of their relatives has been responsible for a car accident or similar event resulting in injuries or death of other persons. The scam caller would then hand over the phone to an accomplice, who would cry or scream into the phone frantically, imploring the victim to lend help. This approach was intended to shock the elderly person, allowing the caller to proceed with the fraudulent procedure and ask for the handover of money to avoid the fake relative’s detention.
The criminals would instruct the victim about the handover procedure, then send a person to collect the money at the victim’s doorstep. In order to minimise exposure and avoid the risk of arrest, the criminal network recruited unwitting accomplices for this task, via online job platforms.
Over the course of the investigation, over 70 persons taking part in this scam were arrested, for instance while they were collecting money at the victim’s homes. The overall damage amounts to around EUR 5 million and is estimated that up to EUR 1.4 million of losses could be prevented thanks to this successful takedown.
Financial damage, emotional distress and loss of trust authorities as consequence
Crime targeting elderly citizens through scam calls, where individuals impersonate representatives of police and judicial authorities, poses a grave danger and has a profound impact on the victims. Apart from the suffered and often irrecoverable financial damage, it can cause emotional distress and a loss of trust in legitimate authorities.
In addition to impersonating officials, including law enforcement and in some cases healthcare personnel, other impersonation scams include the so-called grandchild or nephew trick. In these cases, perpetrators pose as close relatives of the targeted victims, most often the elderly, and pretend to have encountered financial, legal or health difficulties in order to fraudulently obtain money.
Criminal networks active in impersonation frauds pose a significant threat within the EU and are highly adaptable to wider developments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, some perpetrators adapted their schemes to pretend to be sick relatives in need of money.
It is important to stay vigilant and protect yourself from scam calls by not sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers. Law enforcement and other officials will never ask for money or payments over the telephone or in person by showing up at your door. If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and call the police.
Europol’s role
Europol supported this investigation with three operational meetings held in The Hague and United Kingdom. Furthermore, Europol analysed the provided data and supported the investigators with specialised knowledge of this crime field.
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