Shock call in Klagenfurt: bank employee prevents fraud of 40,000 euros
A 74-year-old Klagenfurt resident was targeted in a shock call seeking to defraud him of 40,000 euros. An attentive bank employee recognised the fraud and called the police.
Bank employee stops shock call fraud in Klagenfurt
On 2 June, a 74-year-old Klagenfurt resident received a call on his landline. An unknown woman was crying and claimed to have caused a fatal traffic accident. The man believed he recognised the voice of an acquaintance – which later proved to be false.
As 5min.at reports, the call was subsequently transferred to an alleged police officer. This officer demanded 40,000 euros from the 74-year-old as bail for the supposed acquaintance. She then also asked for his mobile phone number, which the man provided.
Shortly afterwards, an alleged public prosecutor from Germany got in touch. She explained that they would also be satisfied with 40,000 euros or gold and jewellery. The Klagenfurt resident then drove to the bank to withdraw 40,000 euros – whilst he remained on the phone with the women the whole time, who put him under time pressure and imposed a code of silence on him.
At the cash dispenser, the withdrawal failed due to the amount. A bank employee became suspicious, recognised the fraud and alerted the police. The Klagenfurt resident ultimately suffered no financial loss.
The police point out that fraudulent calls in Carinthia have recently increased again, and recommend the following protective measures:
- Never hand over cash, jewellery or gold to unknown persons
- Note the caller's phone number
- Inform relatives and friends about this fraud scheme
Anyone who has already become a victim of such fraud should report it to the police immediately. If valuables have already been handed over, the emergency number 133 should be called immediately and a description of the perpetrator provided. "The perpetrators may still be able to be stopped," police said in conclusion.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)