Police in Vorarlberg and Tyrol warn of telephone scam

Police authorities in the Austrian states of Vorarlberg and Tyrol are issuing urgent warnings regarding a surge in fraudulent telephone calls, commonly known as ‘shock calls’.

In these scams, perpetrators impersonate police officers, prosecutors, doctors, or hospital staff. They use fabricated emergencies involving family members to exert psychological pressure on victims. Common tactics include claiming a relative has caused a serious traffic accident and is in custody, requiring a bail payment, or asserting that a relative in the hospital urgently needs expensive medication.

The criminals often inquire about available cash, jewelry, and other valuables, instructing victims to hand these items over at a specific location or directly at their homes. Law enforcement emphasizes that neither the police nor medical institutions will ever request information regarding cash, bank balances, or valuables over the phone.