Scammers posing as police seek cash and valuables in Vorarlberg

Fraudulent callers posing as police officers are again targeting people in Vorarlberg, warning of supposed burglaries and persuading victims to hand over cash and valuables, ORF reports. Police issued the warning on Tuesday after receiving more reports of such calls in recent days.

The callers claim to be police officers or detectives and say there has been a burglary or another crime in the neighbourhood. They tell people that their valuables need to be “secured”. According to police, the callers use persuasive tactics to find out how much cash and which valuables people have, then persuade them to hand over large sums or possessions.

If someone says their money is in a bank or savings account, the callers may claim that bank employees are corrupt and the money is not safe there.

Police say they will never ask people by phone to hand over money, jewellery or other assets. They advise people to end suspicious calls, not to disclose information about valuables, cash or bank balances, ask for the caller’s name and phone number, and call the police back using a number they already know. They also recommend discussing the call with family members.