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Munich Man Arrested in Failed Carpet-Scam Targeting Octogenarian

Police say the arrest plus a court-ordered search could link the suspect to other similar frauds, highlighting how the victim’s quick call enabled the operation.

Overview

  • Police say the suspect first phoned the over-80 victim on Tuesday, July 7, posing as a carpet-company employee who wanted to buy carpets for a shop opening.
  • Officers in plain clothes were monitoring the address and arrested the 28-year-old at the door on Wednesday around 12:50 p.m. after he demanded to see gold and jewelry as a pretext to enter.
  • The demand to see valuables was a standard trick used to gain access to the flat rather than a genuine purchase condition.
  • On the public prosecutor’s application the local court issued a search warrant for the suspect’s apartment and police seized items that may connect him to other cases.
  • Kommissariat 55 and Staatsanwaltschaft München I are investigating the attempted trick-theft while the suspect was released after police measures, and the case underlines police advice that seniors should call authorities before admitting unsolicited buyers.