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Shock call in Gilching: Fraudsters pretend to have cancer!
In the Starnberg district, a shock call scam makes security more difficult for seniors. Suggestions for avoidance and prevention are offered.
Shock call in Gilching: Fraudsters pretend to have cancer!
A new scam is causing a stir in the Starnberg district. Older people in particular are increasingly being targeted by criminals, as a frightening case in Gilching shows. An 83-year-old man recently received a call from what appeared to be a doctor announcing dramatic news about his son. The caller identified himself as Dr. Koch from the Großhadern Clinic claimed that the Gilchinger's son was suffering from cancer and urgently needed medication costing 120,000 euros to be saved. This was reported by Merkur.
Almost overwhelmed by the story, the man from Gilching offered to hand over gold and silver coins worth the medication. Another caller then gave him instructions on how and where to hand over his valuables at the clinic. Despite his familiarity with the clinic, the patient got lost and an attentive nurse finally spoke to him. However, she could not find a patient with the son's name and informed his wife. The tragedy of the case quickly became apparent: the son was healthy and was in Franconia to help his father. According to the police, it was only by chance that the Gilchinger did not play into the hands of the suspected fraudsters.
Fraud on everyone's lips
The method used in Gilching is not an isolated case. On the contrary, shock calls are now a common scam in which the perpetrators pose as relatives or even police officers. They put their victims under pressure to get them to hand over money or valuables, often by claiming that they urgently need payment for medical treatment. The police warns that older people in particular often find themselves in the crosshairs of fraudsters.
But caution is not only required when it comes to telephone calls. In the banking sector, white label models, in which customers conduct their banking transactions through unlicensed companies, are also reaching alarming proportions. For example, Bundesverbraucherhilfe is documenting increasing complaints about blocked credit and poor customer service. This shows how important it is to act carefully in every financial matter and to rely on established, trustworthy banks.
Protective measures for seniors
The police recommend that seniors not accept calls from blocked numbers. If you are unsure, you should call the emergency number 110. If you feel under pressure, you should hang up immediately and instead contact relatives at known numbers. Experts also recommend never giving personal or financial information over the phone and not handing over valuables to strangers. Such precautions are not only advisable but necessary to protect yourself from these scams.
Ultimately, the responsibility for protecting one's finances lies with each individual. Therefore, it is crucial to be vigilant and, when in doubt, consult a trustworthy person before making a decision.