Danger! Brazen motorway rip-off near Cologne: families in sight!

Danger! Brazen motorway rip-off near Cologne: families in sight!

In Cologne, there are increasing reports of brazen scams that take place primarily on the highway and over the telephone. A current incident on the A4 is causing a stir. How Express According to reports, a British family traveling in a motorhome was suddenly forced to stop by a black car with flashing lights. The driver, a masked man wearing a vest with the word “Police” printed on it, showed what appeared to be an ID card and searched the vehicle under the pretense of a check.

He took the opportunity to steal a Rolex watch and cash worth thousands of euros before escaping in the getaway car with an accomplice. The traumatized couple is left with a great loss, while police in Cologne have already reported a handful of similar incidents this year. Drivers with foreign license plates are often particularly affected.

Safety information for drivers

In the current situation, the Cologne police advise people to be particularly careful when checking vehicles. It is advisable to ask for the identity card of the alleged police officer. In North Rhine-Westphalia this should be made of plastic and in the format of a credit card. Also pay attention to the hologram with the word “Police” written on it. If in doubt, it is better to dial 110 and ask whether there is an assignment. If anything is unclear or there is danger, you should run away immediately and call the emergency number.

It is interesting that many people fall into the trap of fraudsters not only on the highway, but also on the phone. Loud Consumer advice center Con artists pretend to be police officers on the phone and demand money or account details. They often use automated announcements and call from unknown numbers to put older people under pressure. The police will never ask for valuables over the phone.

Tricks used by fraudsters and their approach

The fraudsters' scams are diverse. A common ploy involves claiming that there is evidence of a planned break-in at the victim's home, so a plainclothes police officer would come to collect valuables. Elsewhere, threats are used, for example against senior citizens by threatening them with prison sentences if they do not provide information. This information also comes from daily news, which show that con artists stole millions in Germany in 2022.

There was already an increase in such fraud cases in 2022, especially in calls that were specifically aimed at senior citizens. Those affected report estimated losses in the millions, while fraudsters from abroad work in a well-organized manner. Many of the calls come from Izmir in Turkey in particular and are disguised using methods such as “Call ID Spoofing” to imitate German phone numbers.

The police therefore advise caution – both behind the wheel and on the telephone. If in doubt, please always ask the police directly and never pass on information or money to strangers.