Scammers Now Rely on "Medical Trick": Especially Targeting Pensioners
The Lower Austria State Criminal Police Office issued an urgent warning on Wednesday about a new scam and requested special caution. The talk is about the "medical trick." Since the beginning of March, 18 completed acts with damages of at least 1.2 million euros and 48 related attempts have been reported nationwide, according to the State Police Directorate in St. Pölten. In Lower Austria, there are at least four victims.
Police warn of new scam "medical trick"
"Telephonists" of a criminal organization would spread the story of a serious illness (usually colon cancer) in close relatives, for which medical products costing mostly in the six-figure euro range would have to be used for immediate treatment. According to investigators, the perpetrators pose as doctors or hospital staff.
Most recently, on May 29, a 91-year-old female victim in Nickelsdorf, Burgenland (Neusiedl am See district), handed over cash and gold jewelry worth a mid-five-figure euro amount to an as yet unknown woman. In Lower Austria, a week earlier, an 83-year-old woman from Perchtoldsdorf (Mödling district) was tricked into handing over cash and gold ducats of a similar amount.
Caution with calls - end the conversation if in doubt
In addition to the warning, the Lower Austria State Criminal Police Office calls on all persons affected by such calls to exercise special caution. "Question the identity of the caller, ask for a callback number from the caller, and try to contact the relative mentioned by the caller before taking further action. If in doubt, end the conversation and notify the police," advise the investigators.
(APA/Red)
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