The perpetrators act individually or in teams. When traveling in teams, they often pretend to be relatives, for example brothers or a father and son team. They look for busy areas such as train stations, city centres, supermarket parking lots, service stations, etc.
They feign a financial emergency - e.g. the loss of documents and papers due to theft - and try to arouse the willingness of passers-by to help in order to obtain cash.
The aim is to use a fake banking app to make it appear to the victims that the fraudsters will immediately return the outstanding amount to them by instant bank transfer.
The police advise
- Always be vigilant if you are approached on the street and make sure you keep a sufficient distance from the person
- Never hand over large sums of cash to people you do not know.
- Do not accept any money transfer payments, even if you think you know the platform.
- Do not give any personal details to unknown people.
- Leave the location immediately if you feel harassed.
- Specifically approach other passers-by and ask them for help.
- In emergencies or in case of doubt, call the police on 110.
.