“Your daughter was in an accident!” Often people have been warned about these fraudulent calls, but unfortunately victims fall into the trap time and again. Such as a retired couple (94, 92) from the Tulln district (Lower Austria). It handed over 90,000 euros to the criminals. But the police are not just investigating this case. A 32-year-old paid 51,000 euros to an alleged doctor from Somalia.
The couple’s phone rang on Tuesday. The caller pretended to be the secretary of the Tulln Police Station. She told the seniors a story: their daughter had caused a traffic accident. 90,000 euros is owed as a deposit, otherwise she would have to be incarcerated. The demand was reinforced by a man who claimed to be a police officer. In addition, the alleged daughter’s sobbing could be heard: “Mommy, Mommy, I feel so bad!”
The victims indicated that they had enough money at home. The scammers kept in touch with their victims by phone until an accomplice collected the amount almost two hours later. Only then did the 92-year-old have time to call her daughter. However, when she knew nothing about an accident, it was clear: Scammers had struck – ad!
Woman takes out large loan for ‘Doctor from Somalia’
The officials also have to investigate in the Krems district. A 32-year-old had met a doctor through Facebook and fell in love with a doctor allegedly stationed at a military base in Somalia. An increasingly intense relationship developed over a longer period of time, until the man pretended to finally move to Austria. But first he would send a box of valuables ahead. He asked the woman to take it. When she agreed, the first payment requests from the shipping company came in a little later.
The 32-year-old paid the expenses and customs duties before finally learning that there would be £2.5 million worth of goods in the box. To pay further fees, she went into debt and transferred a total of 51,000 euros to accounts in Italy and Turkey. Only when she could no longer take out a new loan did she see through the fraud.
Swedish stove costs sellers dearly
A man from the Melk district was also scammed. He wanted to sell a Swedish stove, but the prospect was a scammer. He pretended to pay through a courier service and obtained the victim’s credit card information through a fake link. So he has deducted 1800 euros from his account.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
