Overview

• Scammers use phone calls to impersonate police officers and convince seniors to hand over cash and valuables for supposed safekeeping.
• The Berlin police have noted a significant rise in such scams, with losses totaling several hundred thousand euros in recent weeks.
• A trial is underway for three men accused of defrauding elderly victims of nearly 44,000 euros through impersonation tactics.
• Victims are often told of nearby robberies to instill fear, prompting them to disclose financial information and hand over assets.
• Authorities urge the public to be cautious, emphasizing that real police officers will never request money or valuables over the phone.