Shock call traffic accident

• The alleged police officer then talks about the arrest of a relative who is to be remanded in custody. The reason is that the son or daughter of the person called caused a serious traffic accident in which one or more people were killed. Bail is to be paid to avoid detention, usually in the amount of 15,000 to 20,000 euros, in individual cases considerably more.
   
• The sobbing relative then confirms the information provided by the alleged police officer. In one variant, the person who allegedly caused the accident begins the phone call in tears and then hands over to the alleged police officer, who explains the formalities for allegedly posting bail.

Infection with Covid 19

• The perpetrators pretend - often sobbing heartbreakingly - to be their son/daughter. They claim to be infected with the coronavirus and now urgently need financial support for treatment. To back up the lie, the phone is then often passed on to the doctor who is supposedly treating them, who of course confirms the information previously given.
• Victims are usually asked to pay a five-figure sum for the treatment they need immediately. If the sum cannot be paid in cash, jewelry is also demanded. Either an employee of the hospital or a friend of the relative then appears to collect the loot.

For both variants:

If the victims do not have the money at home, they are asked to withdraw it from their account. As soon as they have returned home with the money, a telephone call is made announcing that the money will be collected locally. Corona safety regulations are often used as a reason not to go to a police station/hospital.

How to behave correctly:

• As with all other calls from strangers demanding money, be suspicious! The police will never collect money for bail from your home.
   
• A hospital would never have an employee or friend of the relative pick up money for treatment.
   
• Hold up and call the police on 110! Only then can you be sure whether the call was genuine.