Phone Fraud Alerts: Lebanon 961 Calls and German Grandparent Scams

Calls displaying the international dialing code +961, which belongs to Lebanon, have been linked to telephone fraud. Scammers use the prefix to place short “ping” calls that prompt victims to return the call, often incurring high fees. Authorities advise not to call back unknown numbers from this range, to block suspicious callers, and to avoid sharing personal or financial information.

In Germany, a related wave of “shock” or “grandparent” scams targets elderly people. Fraudsters pretend to be relatives or officials, claiming urgent medical emergencies or legal problems and demanding cash or card details under time pressure. Techniques include caller‑ID spoofing and, in some cases, AI‑generated voices that mimic family members. Police and consumer‑protection agencies recommend hanging up, verifying the story by contacting the alleged relative through a known number, and reporting the incident.

Both warnings emphasize staying calm, never handing over money or personal data on the phone, and consulting trusted contacts or authorities when in doubt.