Three Frenchmen investigated for fraud in Fribourg canton – damage exceeds 800,000 francs
Fribourg cantonal police have arrested three alleged fraudsters from France. Since the start of the year, around 750 reports of such schemes have been registered.
Three Frenchmen arrested as fake bank courier fraudsters
Fribourg cantonal police have arrested three alleged fraud perpetrators who operated as couriers for so-called "fake bank employees". According to baernerbaer.ch, the men are aged between 18 and 26 years old and were apprehended in September during police operations.
One of the suspects was caught red-handed in Bulle. The other two were stopped in Valais canton and confessed there to their involvement in several fraud cases in western Switzerland. The stolen goods included over 100,000 francs in cash as well as jewellery and watches. Both arrests in Valais were reported to the public prosecutor's office.
According to police, the perpetrators continuously adapt their approach: instead of by telephone, criminals are increasingly targeting victims via text messages or emails. Those defrauded are warned about alleged fraudulent withdrawals and are pressured to hand over cut-up bank cards to couriers.
In the past week alone, an unknown perpetrator used this method to steal over 90,000 francs from four victims in Fribourg canton. Since the start of the year, police have registered around 750 reports in connection with fake police officers and bank employees. In 130 cases the perpetrators were successful – the total damage amounts to just under 800,000 francs in cash as well as several tens of thousands of francs in the form of jewellery and other valuables.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)