Undercover thieves, posing as law enforcement officials, steal jewelry and other valuable possessions from an elderly woman.
In a chilling incident that took place on July 25th in Mülheim an der Ruhr, an elderly woman was targeted by scammers who posed as police officers. The woman, who had received multiple suspicious calls from unknown individuals claiming to be police officers on both July 24th and July 25th, managed to avoid falling victim to the scam.
The woman found the situation suspicious and reported the incident to the real police. After the woman retrieved her valuables and got off the bus at the "Rotkreuzzentrum" stop, a young man approached her and demanded her handbag, claiming to be a police officer. However, the woman remained vigilant and did not hand over her belongings.
The police have since advised that they will never demand money or valuable items over the phone. Strangers should not be trusted, and personal and financial information should not be disclosed. The police also advise not to be rushed or pressured and to verify the caller's information. If a call seems suspicious, it is recommended to inform the police immediately and file a report.
To help prevent such scam crimes, the police have made several brochures available for printing and keeping near the phone. These brochures provide a summary of important information, such as the fact that the police will never demand money or valuable items over the phone, and the importance of not handing over money, bank cards, PIN codes, or valuable items to strangers.
One such brochure is titled "Safe in Old Age" and can be found at this link: https://police.nrw/sites/default/files/2020-04/228-BR-Safe-in-old-age%20%28003%29.pdf. Another brochure, titled "Well-Advised in Old Age," can be found at this link: https://police.nrw/sites/default/files/2020-04/229-BR-Well-advised-in-old-age%20%28002%29.pdf. A flyer with tips to prevent scam crimes is also available for printing and keeping near the phone at this link: https://our-website/sites/default/files/2025-05/flyer-scam-crimes-ld_v2.pdf.
It is important to remember that being vigilant and following the police's advice can help protect us from falling victim to scams like this one. By staying informed and being aware of potential threats, we can help keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.
