Wave of Fraud Targets Seniors Across Germany

A surge in telephone scams has seen elderly victims lose significant sums to fraudsters posing as police and bank officials.

In Haßloch, a 90-year-old man was tricked into handing over €12,300 to a scammer impersonating a police officer.
Düsseldorf police report a rise in various scams targeting seniors, with cases nearly doubling since 2018.
A 72-year-old man from Apolda lost €60,400 after fraudsters posed as bank employees and conducted fraudulent transfers.
In Homburg, an 89-year-old man was conned into giving a six-figure sum after being told his relatives were involved in a car accident.
Authorities urge potential victims to verify suspicious calls and never disclose personal or financial information over the phone.