Scammers posing as police seek cash and gold

Scammers are targeting people across Upper Austria with phone calls and text messages designed to obtain cash and valuables, the Upper Austria State Criminal Police Office warned on Monday, according to ORF. The callers pose as police officers, doctors or prosecutors and invent emergencies to pressure their victims.

They may claim that a relative is seriously ill or has been involved in a traffic accident. In some cases, they say bail must be paid after an accident. Other callers allege that burglaries or robberies have occurred in the victim’s neighbourhood.

The scammers often threaten serious or even fatal consequences for relatives, police said. Under pressure, some victims voluntarily hand over cash, gold or other valuables, or transfer money.

Police also warned about text messages in which criminals pose as the tax office, a bank, the Austrian Health Insurance Fund or an insurance company. These messages often contain links or ask recipients to disclose account details.

Criminal police advise people to end suspicious calls immediately and never provide information about cash, valuables or bank details. Authorities and banks would never ask people by phone or text message to hand over money or gold. Anyone affected should not give in to pressure and should contact relatives or the police emergency service if in doubt.