Elderly Woman Falls Victim to Phone Scam in Bad Schwartau

In Bad Schwartau, a senior citizen became the target of a deceptive phone scam on April 11, 2025, resulting in the loss of valuables, including jewelry and cash. The perpetrators impersonated prosecutors and pressured the elderly woman by falsely claiming that her son had been involved in a fatal accident.

During an extensive phone call that lasted into the early hours of the morning, the scammers insisted that she surrender her valuable items. Following their instructions, the woman placed her jewelry and cash into a bag and left it outside her front door. Around 4 a.m., the criminals retrieved the bag.

The Bad Schwartau Criminal Police have launched an investigation into the case, suspecting it to be a professional scam operation. Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed suspicious individuals or vehicles in the Ringstraße area to reach out by calling 0451-220 750 or emailing BadSchwartau.KPSt@polizei.landsh.de.

To protect against such fraud schemes, law enforcement officials recommend exercising caution: remain skeptical of unexpected calls, refrain from sharing personal information, and do not hand over valuables. In case of doubt, it is advisable to contact family members or the police.