In recent days and weeks, there has been an increase in scam calls from fake police officers throughout the district. The police have received several reports - including from Emsdetten, Ibbenbüren, Ladbergen, Rheine and Steinfurt. The district police have also been contacted by unsettled citizens because they were called by an alleged detective from the authority.
In this context, the police once again expressly warn against the scam of "calls from fake police officers". It is often claimed that the police are watching a certain gang of burglars and now want to warn potential victims. Now the police allegedly have to bring cash and valuables from people who appear on the burglars' address lists to safety.
This is never true. Officers never call citizens to collect money or valuables before they fall into the hands of criminals. Such calls are fraudulent!
- As soon as demands are made to have money or valuables ready, collect them or hand them over at the front door or an agreed meeting point: End the phone call immediately!
- Contact the correct police after a scam attempt. You can do this by calling 110. Or you can call the police station responsible for you. There you can make sure that it was a fraud attempt.
- Do not allow yourself to be drawn into a lengthy conversation on the phone! Do not allow yourself to be put under pressure! Be resolute and simply hang up!
- If in doubt, get help from close friends, relatives or acquaintances!
- Never hand over money or valuables to unknown persons, alleged employees of the police, public prosecutor's office, courts or financial institutions.
- Inform your relatives and fellow human beings about the scam! Repeat this information after a certain period of time!
The best defense against scam calls: Educate yourself about this scam - and simply hang up on such calls!
