It’s a clever and heartless play on the fears of pensioners: a gang of fraudsters has now stolen €1.5 million in cash from the widow of a Viennese academic…
The fraud mafia’s tricks are varied. From the bail fraud for a supposedly arrested family member to fake police officers. The case of an 82-year-old from the 12th district of Meidling in Vienna is unusual even for experienced investigators because of the record loot. A caller warned the academic widow that her savings were about to be exchanged for flowers due to a conspiracy between bank employees and fake detectives.
Widow closed accounts in panic
In a panic, the elderly single lady then visited several financial institutions in the federal capital and closed all her accounts, some of which had been saved for decades. In total, the victim withdrew approximately 1.5 million euros and foreign currency and handed over the cash to someone who had to “safeguard everything.”
On the occasion of the spectacular criminal case, the researchers now warn again: do not trust strange callers and ask for an identity card from alleged police officers! Bank employees should also be made more aware if – as here – long-term accounts are suddenly closed or a lot of money is withdrawn in cash for no reason.
Research group against fake police officers
In any case, a separate ‘Fake Police Investigative Group’ has been fighting the criminal business model since autumn 2022. The stolen amounts are increasing. While it was still seven million euros in 2021, the amount of damage increased to around 15 million euros in 2022 and to 20 million euros in 2023.
There have been over 100 arrests so far! There is also a big lead in the gang that hit the Vienna senior. By the way, the people behind the pensioner fear game are often based in Turkey.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
