Berlin Police Warn of Surge in Impersonation Scams Targeting Seniors

Fraudsters posing as police officers have stolen hundreds of thousands of euros from elderly victims in an alarming increase of reported crimes.

Scammers use phone calls to impersonate police officers and convince seniors to hand over cash and valuables for supposed safekeeping.
The Berlin police have noted a significant rise in such scams, with losses totaling several hundred thousand euros in recent weeks.
A trial is underway for three men accused of defrauding elderly victims of nearly 44,000 euros through impersonation tactics.
Victims are often told of nearby robberies to instill fear, prompting them to disclose financial information and hand over assets.
Authorities urge the public to be cautious, emphasizing that real police officers will never request money or valuables over the phone.