Overview

• The Landeskriminalamt noted a surge in July of impersonators knocking on doors near Heilbronn in police-like uniforms, with further cases reported in Schleswig and Borken.
• Perpetrators have primarily targeted elderly residents and in one Schleswig incident two impersonators stole a mid-five-figure sum from an 84-year-old.
• Uniform components and police-style costumes are widely available online or in stores, though genuine insignia and state emblems are legally restricted.
• The newly introduced police service ID carries holograms, tactile embossing, optically variable ink and Braille to help residents verify officer credentials.
• Authorities stress that real officers never request money or valuables at the door and urge residents to demand official badges and call 110 using an independently sourced number.