Russian‑language fraud targets seniors in Germany

Police in Osnabrück reported two recent cases of the so‑called “shock‑call” scam, in which callers speaking Russian pretended to be police officers, bank staff or relatives. An 85‑year‑old woman was pressured into handing over a four‑digit cash sum, and an 87‑year‑old couple lost more than €90,000 after the fraudsters claimed a family member had been seriously injured in a car accident.

Similar incidents occurred in the Bavarian towns of Weiden and Amberg. Two seniors, aged 74 and 76, were contacted in Russian, convinced to give five‑digit cash payments, and later identified the fraudster—a 43‑year‑old Ukrainian who acted as a money‑collector. He was detained and placed in custody after victims recognized him from a photograph and reported the crime to police.

Authorities warned the public, especially Russian‑speaking elderly residents, to be cautious of such calls and urged anyone with information to contact local police.