Swindlers on the prowl: Elderly victims fall prey to financial scams, losing substantial funds
In a series of connected incidents, three senior citizens in Offenbach and Rodgau were victimized by phone scams on Friday afternoon. The scams, using the "accident and bail" scheme, resulted in several thousand euros in cash and jewelry being taken from the victims.
The suspected perpetrators have not been explicitly named in the search results, but active investigations and arrests related to fraud in the Offenbach area suggest that the authorities are hot on the trail. A 24-year-old man was arrested by the Offenbach criminal police in connection with online fraud incidents in the area.
The Criminal Police are investigating a potential connection between the three cases. In Offenbach, another elderly woman handed over a significantly higher sum to the scammers in the Staudenstraße. In another Rodgau location, a pensioner was defrauded of a five-digit sum of cash using the same method.
The police are urging citizens to be vigilant and to never provide personal or financial information over the phone to unknown callers. They are also reminding everyone that they do not ask for money or personal information during regular calls. Seniors, in particular, should not let themselves be pressured and should hang up immediately if they suspect a scam.
In Rodgau-Dudenhofen, the suspect was described by the police as a man estimated to be 30-40 years old, 1.70 meters tall, with a robust build, wearing a dark long-sleeved jacket, long pants with a pattern, and holding a cigarette. The pick-up person in the Offenbach case fled in the direction of the Brandenburger Straße, and no description of the suspect is available yet.
The police are seeking information on the suspects and are encouraging citizens to spread awareness about these scams to protect their loved ones. Observations or tips about the pick-up persons involved in the scams can be reported to the number 069 8098-1234.
The authorities are also urging relatives to inform their older relatives about these scams to protect them from criminals. Subscribing to the free newsletter can ensure staying updated on news from the city and district of Offenbach.
The police are emphasizing that they do not ask for money or personal information during regular calls and that anyone who receives a suspicious phone call should inform the police via the emergency number 110. They are also investigating a possible connection between the three phone scam cases in Offenbach and Rodgau.
