Fraud in Bad Königshofen: Bogus tradesmen extort €1,000 from homeowner
A group of five men lured a homeowner with a cheap offer and then demanded eight times the amount. Police in Franconia warn of this scam.
Five men demand eight times the price – homeowner pays €1,000
According to Google News AT – Crime (de), citing police information, a homeowner in Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld (Rhön-Grabfeld district) fell victim to a fraud scam involving bogus tradesmen.
Five men had offered the man to renew the gutters of his house at an affordable price. The homeowner accepted the offer. However, after completing the work, the leader of the group demanded eight times the amount originally agreed.
The men pressured the homeowner to pay immediately. One of them accompanied him to the bank, where the man was only able to produce part of the demanded sum. When the group then asked about valuables, he threatened to call the police – whereupon the five men fled with the €1,000 they had already received.
Police in Franconia expressly warn the public against such fraud schemes in connection with cleaning and repair work. If a detailed cost estimate is refused, this may be an indication of lack of legitimacy. Persistent offers should be rejected. In case of doubt, police advise immediately contacting the authorities.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)