Suspected Individual Detained for Alleged Attempt at Financial Deception Against an Elderly Woman in Poland, According to the United Nations.
A 76-year-old resident in Unna narrowly avoided falling victim to a fraud attempt on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The incident, reported to the Unna Circular Police Authority, saw an unknown male caller posing as a police officer and targeting the resident.
According to the police, the caller contacted the resident with a suppressed number and provided a false list of potential burglary targets. The cunning caller then asked about valuable items in the resident's apartment and instructed her to leave a bag of valuables on her property for pickup.
However, the resident recognised the fraud attempt and took swift action, calling the emergency number of the Unna Circular Police Authority. The quick response from the resident allowed the police to intervene, and they were able to identify a suspect in a vehicle near the resident's residence.
The suspect, a 47-year-old German man from Gladbeck, was stopped by civilian police officers and arrested around 23:00. The suspect is accused of attempting a fraud offense, as well as an administrative offense for driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Following the arrest, the Dortmund Public Prosecutor's Office requested the suspect's release on Wednesday afternoon (30.07.2025) due to lack of detention grounds.
Investigations into the fraud attempt in Unna are ongoing. Citizens can find further information and contact persons on the website of the Criminal Prevention and Victim Support of the Unna Circular Police Authority: https://unna.polizei.nrw/artikel/praevention-von-kriminalitaet-zum-nachteil-von-senioren. The Unna Circular Police Authority's website is available at https://unna.polizei.nrw.
For press inquiries, please contact Jana Ebbinghaus at 02303-921 1154 or [email protected]. Outside of office hours, inquiries can be made to the Unna Circular Police Authority Control Center at 02303-921 3535, fax: 02303-921 3599, or [email protected].
The public is reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. Prevention tips to protect against fraud offenses can be found on the Unna Circular Police Authority's website.
