Senior in Bielefeld robbed of savings and bank card
Unknown perpetrators deceived an elderly man in Bielefeld on Saturday with a fabricated counterfeit money story. They obtained his cash and his debit card.
Senior in Bielefeld robbed of savings and bank card
A pensioner from the Ummeln district fell victim to an elaborate scam on Saturday, 20 June 2026. Several unknown individuals posed as employees of his bank and police officers, and in this way obtained his savings and his bank card.
The incident began with a telephone call around midday. A man called the elderly gentleman and claimed to be an employee of the local branch of his bank. He alleged that counterfeit notes had been put into circulation during recent cash withdrawals. The pensioner admitted that he had recently withdrawn money. The caller then asked him to provide the numbers on the banknotes – ostensibly to check whether any counterfeit money was among them. In reality, he was finding out how much cash was in the victim's home.
In the next step, the supposed bank employee announced that an officer would come by in person to exchange the affected notes for genuine money. Shortly afterwards, a man rang the doorbell of the injured party's home on Lennestraße. He showed a forged identity card and took the senior's cash and debit card. Meanwhile, the telephone connection to the fake bank employee remained open, who convinced the pensioner that he could trust the visitor without hesitation.
The investigators describe the alleged perpetrator as approximately 45 years old, of sturdy build and with short, straight black hair. He is said to be tall and wore entirely black clothing at the time of the offence, probably a sweatshirt, jogging bottoms and trainers.
Criminal Investigation Department 15 is asking witnesses who made observations or who can provide information on the suspects to contact them on 0521/545-0.
The officers urgently advise being suspicious of unsolicited calls. Anyone who is put under pressure during a telephone call should simply hang up. No information should be disclosed regarding account balances, valuables or personal data. Furthermore, the genuine police never collect money or jewellery from private individuals to secure or exchange it.
Source: Radio Bielefeld, statement from Bielefeld Police
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)