November 7, 2020, 6:30 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Con artists have no scruples. Time and again, especially older people are duped because callers pose as relatives and tell sentimental stories. In the time of COVID-19, a new variant has emerged.
Police are warning about scammers who want to exploit people’s fears and worries during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the police department in Görlitz, Saxony, reported, “corona shock calls” are a new scam. There have been increased attempts at phone scams in Görlitz.
Scammers Pose as Doctors
According to police, an unknown caller contacted a man and posed as a doctor who was about to fly the man’s son to Dresden. The reason was a COVID-19 infection, and the patient’s condition was allegedly critical. “The supposed doctor further reported that the patient urgently needed a Russian medication, which would have to be self-financed with 8,000 euros,” it was stated. However, the person called did not fall for it and hung up.
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Scam Linked to Grandchild Trick
In Dresden, a scammer tried a slightly different approach. According to police, a man called a 79-year-old woman and posed as her grandson. He claimed to be infected with COVID-19 and hospitalized. He then handed the phone to a supposed doctor, who told the pensioner that her grandson would die if he wasn’t treated with a yet-to-be-approved medication. However, the cost would be 150,000 euros. The woman called her real grandson back and thus noticed the planned scam just in time.
Also interesting: Never say “Yes” during suspicious calls
How Do I Protect My Friends and Relatives?
Raise awareness among older people about the issue. If you’re still concerned, you can have your listing removed from the phone book. Scammers comb through these and try to find numbers of potential victims based on older first names. Also, provide at least two emergency contact numbers of trusted individuals whom older people can call if they feel uncertain.