Overview

• A 41-year-old Stuttgart resident reported more than €100,000 taken after scammers impersonated Chinese police and alleged he was involved in identity theft and smuggling.
• Between April and late July, the perpetrators pressured him into transferring multiple large sums to various bank accounts under the guise of supporting a bogus investigation.
• After recognizing the fraud on July 28, the victim filed a complaint the following day, prompting German police to open a formal investigation.
• Law enforcement stressed that genuine officers never request money or valuables by phone and advised citizens to verify any suspicious calls through official channels.
• Impersonation scams have surged in Germany, with shock-call losses nearing €1.84 million in 2024 and exceeding €1 million so far in 2025.