# European phone scam tactics and prevention > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-phone-scam-tactics-and-prevention > Updated: 2026-10-19T08:37:04.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Law enforcement and authorities in Sweden and Hungary are addressing various telephone-based fraud schemes. In Sweden, police have launched a public awareness campaign encouraging citizens, particularly those over 60, to be “rude” or abruptly end calls to deter scammers who impersonate bank employees, police, or government officials. National operations leader Robert Öhman noted that these fraudsters collect approximately 5.7 billion Swedish krona annually. In Hungary, specifically in Pest County, criminals are utilizing aggressive psychological tactics such as the ‘relative in trouble’ method, where they impersonate lawyers, police, or distressed family members to demand immediate funds. Additionally, reports indicate the use of automated calls from Swedish numbers that employ a series of seven consecutive calls to exert pressure on victims. Authorities advise individuals to hang up immediately and verify any claims through trusted, known contact numbers. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-19: Scammers use aggressive phone tactics to target victims in Hungary Scammers in Hungary are using aggressive phone tactics, including impersonating officials and using automated Swedish numbers, to extort money and personal data through psychological pressure. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/scammers-use-aggressive-phone-tactics-to-target-victims-in-hungary ### 2026-09-29: Sweden launches campaign to combat phone scams through rudeness Swedish police have launched a campaign encouraging citizens, especially the elderly, to be rude to or hang up on phone scammers to combat fraud that costs the country 5.7 billion SEK annually. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sweden-launches-campaign-to-combat-phone-scams-through-rudeness --- Cite as: European phone scam tactics and prevention. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-phone-scam-tactics-and-prevention