Fraudsters Deceive Elderly Woman in Krefeld Phone Scam

Krefeld - On February 5, 2025, a 72-year-old woman fell victim to a fraudulent scheme conducted by two men who impersonated police officers. The scammers contacted her by phone, weaving a narrative about a series of burglaries in her neighborhood and claiming that they had apprehended a gang responsible for these crimes. They falsely asserted that during their investigation, they discovered cash and gold coins belonging to the victim.

To bolster their deception, the fraudsters convinced the elderly woman that her caretaker had replaced the valuables in her safe with counterfeit items. They instructed her to place these supposed replicas into a trash bin outside her home for the police to examine, assuring her that her original belongings would be returned afterwards. Between 4:30 PM and 7 PM, the perpetrators stealthily retrieved the stolen items from the bin and fled the scene without being noticed.

When the promised follow-up call from the bogus officers did not materialize, the woman recognized the scam and promptly dialed emergency services, leading to the revelation of the fraud. Authorities are now appealing to witnesses who may have seen suspicious individuals along Schönwasserstraße between Uerdinger Straße and Germaniastraße to come forward by contacting 02151-6340 or via email at hinweise.krefeld@polizei.nrw.de.

The police have issued several recommendations to the public:

• Verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a public official by asking for their name, then hang up and contact your local police station using the emergency number 110.
• Do not disclose personal financial information or sensitive data to unknown callers.
• Engage a trusted friend or family member when in doubt about such calls.
• Avoid handing over or transferring money or valuables to unfamiliar individuals, including those claiming to represent the police, prosecution, courts, or financial institutions.
• If you have fallen prey to such a scam, immediately report the incident to the police.

For more information on scams targeting seniors, the police have provided additional resources that can be accessed here.