German police warn of scams by fake officers and handymen

Police forces in several German districts issued warnings about telephone fraud in which callers impersonate police officers to extract personal or financial information. The Reutlingen police reported cases of fake investment offers that led victims to transfer five‑digit sums, while the Osterburg (Stendal) and Germersheim precincts warned that the scams, targeting especially older residents, have so far caused no monetary losses. Authorities advise the public not to share personal data or open doors to unknown callers.

Consumer protection agencies in Thuringia and the police in the Belgian region of Eynatten warned about unlicensed or unscrupulous handymen offering low‑cost repairs. Victims reported shoddy work, inflated charges and, in some cases, disappearance after demanding large advance payments. Both German and Belgian officials urged residents to verify craftsmen through official trade registers and to be cautious of unsolicited door‑to‑door offers.

In Gelsenkirchen, police are searching for a suspect who robbed an 82‑year‑old man on Marschallstraße, stealing his watch and fleeing in a black BMW. The suspect is described as a male, 30‑35 years old, about 1.75‑1.80 m tall, with short black hair and a full beard. Authorities request information from witnesses.