German police issue nationwide alert on senior phone scams

Police across several German states have warned that criminals are increasingly using phone calls to impersonate bank staff, police officers, doctors or relatives in order to steal money from older citizens. Victims in Nordwalde, Borken, Hagenow, Stendal, Saxony‑Anhalt and other districts reported losses ranging from a few thousand euros to more than €35,000. In one case a 19‑year‑old was duped by a fake PayPal employee; another involved a senior who deposited a five‑digit cash sum in a rubbish bin after being instructed by the scammers. The perpetrators also use AI‑generated voices and deep‑fake videos to make the calls sound authentic, a risk highlighted by the LKA and a consumer‑rights group. Police have arrested a 20‑year‑old Moldovan linked to a recent incident and continue to seek witnesses. Authorities advise anyone receiving an unexpected request for money to hang up, verify the caller through known contact numbers, avoid giving personal data or cash, and establish a family “code word” for verification.