Criminal investigators in Wilhelmshaven, Poland, have revealed details about a fraudulent incident involving an elderly woman who was swindled out of a substantial sum of money and valuable jewellery.
On a chilly morning of February 27, 2025, an 87-year-old woman from Wilhelmshaven received a call that would leave her feeling vulnerable and robbed. The caller claimed to be a police officer, a common ruse used by criminals to deceive potential victims. This technique, known as "Call ID Spoofing", allows the perpetrators to manipulate the caller ID to appear as if they are calling from a legitimate source.
During the conversation, the criminals were so convincing that the potential victim may have easily fallen for their story. They fabricated an emergency situation, similar to a staged traffic accident involving a family member, to instil a sense of urgency. The woman was instructed to gather cash and valuable items, including jewelry, and leave them at a designated location outside her home.
As a result, a four-digit amount of money and various pieces of jewelry have been stolen. Unfortunately, as of now, there is no information in the available search results about the suspect who committed the robbery. The criminals in this incident operated from abroad.
The Wilhelmshaven police are urging all residents, especially the elderly, to be vigilant and aware of such scams. Witnesses who noticed anything suspicious in the area of Rhine Street are asked to contact the Wilhelmshaven police at 04421 942-0. For consultation and prevention tips, the Association for the Promotion of Communal Prevention in Wilhelmshaven (VKP) is available at 04421 7780942.
Anja Kienetz, prevention officer at the Jever police station, can be reached at 04461 7449-181, while Katja Reents, responsible for crime prevention in the Wilhelmshaven area, can be reached at 04421 942-108. For more information, you can visit the Police Station Wilhelmshaven/Friesland at Mozartstraße 29, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, or their website at www.pd-ol.polizei-nds.de and www.twitter.com/Polizei_WHV_FRI.
Eugen Schnettler, prevention officer at the Varel police station, can also be reached at 04451 923-181. The police are using this incident as an opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of not disclosing personal or financial information over the phone, especially to unknown callers claiming to be from the authorities. Stay safe and be aware!
