Swiss police arrest suspect in elderly medical fraud scams

A 31-year-old Czech national has been arrested in Thusis, Switzerland, on suspicion of involvement in multiple fraud cases targeting elderly individuals. The suspect is accused of participating in ‘shock calls’ that occurred in the Riviera and Mendrisiotto regions.

In these scams, perpetrators impersonated medical professionals and pressured victims into believing a relative required urgent, expensive medical treatment. By creating a false sense of extreme urgency, the suspects coerced victims into handing over cash and valuable household items, including several thousand francs.

The arrest was made possible by a rapid report from a private citizen to the joint alarm center (CECAL), allowing Graubünden Cantonal Police and Chiasso Municipal Police to locate the suspect while he was traveling north. The investigation is being coordinated by prosecutor Chiara Buzzi.