2024-11-16 12:38:00
Two women fell victim to telephone scammers on Friday. In Salzburg, a 60-year-old handed over 65,000 euros to a fake police officer. An unknown person had previously explained on the phone that her son had caused a fatal traffic accident, but that if he paid bail he would not have to go to prison. In Upper Austria, a 72-year-old woman from Linz was cheated out of around 100,000 by a man. He posed as an IT employee at her bank.
After the Salzburg woman handed over the requested deposit of 65,000 euros in cash to the unknown person, the perpetrators demanded a further 50,000 euros, according to the police. The woman had now been able to reach her son and realized that it was all a hoax. She filed a complaint.
The woman from Linz, in turn, believed the descriptions of her bank’s supposed IT officer, according to which he had to stop illegal transfers and transfer the money back to her account. The 72-year-old gave him access to her computer using a downloaded program and logged into online banking. With each transfer, she received a code on her cell phone, which she shared with the fraudster. This enabled him to carry out several transfers and earn considerable sums.
According to the police, bank IT employees never contact their customers by telephone. You should never give “bank codes” over the phone or by email, and you should not allow strangers to have online remote access to computers. Police investigations are now underway in both cases.
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How can family members effectively communicate with their elderly relatives about the dangers of telephone scams?
**Interview with Detective Anna Schmidt from the Salzburg Police Department**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Detective Schmidt. We’ve recently learned about two alarming cases of telephone scams involving elderly victims in Austria. Can you provide us with an overview of how these scams typically operate?
**Detective Schmidt:** Certainly. In these cases, scammers often pose as authorities or trusted figures to instill fear and urgency. They can sound very convincing, which is why many individuals, particularly the elderly, feel compelled to comply with their demands.
**Editor:** In the Salzburg case, the 60-year-old victim was manipulated by someone claiming to be a police officer. What can you tell us about the tactics used in such scams?
**Detective Schmidt:** Scammers frequently exploit emotional scenarios—like claiming a loved one is in trouble—to create panic. In this situation, the victim was told her son was involved in a fatal accident. It’s a tactic designed to distract and mislead the victim, making them more likely to hand over large sums of money.
**Editor:** And in Linz, the 72-year-old woman fell for a con artist posing as an IT employee. What key lessons can you share for individuals to protect themselves from such scams?
**Detective Schmidt:** First and foremost, it’s important to remember that legitimate bank employees never reach out via phone calls for sensitive matters. People should never provide personal information, banking codes, or grant remote access to their computers. Encouraging your loved ones to verify any claims before acting can significantly decrease their chances of becoming a victim.
**Editor:** With these scams on the rise, what can communities do to raise awareness and help prevent such incidents?
**Detective Schmidt:** Community education is crucial—hosting workshops, distributing flyers, or even utilizing social media can spread the word. We urge everyone, especially the elderly, to stay vigilant and report any suspicious calls or messages. Awareness can be a powerful tool against these scammers.
**Editor:** What do you think will resonate most with our readers regarding these scams? Is there a particular aspect you hope will spur discussion and reflection?
**Detective Schmidt:** I believe many will feel a mix of anger and concern regarding how easily these fraudsters manipulate vulnerable individuals. It raises critical questions about how society can better protect our elders. Do we do enough to educate and shield them from this type of exploitation? Instances like these should ignite a community-wide debate on safeguarding our loved ones from such deceitful tactics.
