Overview
- A 25-year-old was detained in Berlin-Lichterfelde after allegedly calling a 78-year-old woman and her 77-year-old husband and arriving to pick up their savings.
- The couple had alerted police, who arrested the suspect at the handover and transferred him to a State Criminal Police Office specialist unit.
- Investigators say the scheme often cites a looming robbery or account threat to pressure victims into surrendering money and valuables.
- In Vienna the previous day, an 89-year-old withdrew funds from two banks and handed over cash, gold and coins to a man wearing police markings, with losses reported at about €60,000.
- Police report ongoing investigations and renewed warnings urging people to verify identities and refuse requests to hand over assets.