Villach man blocks suspected scammers’ escape with his car

A 69-year-old man in Villach thwarted a suspected fraud attempt by blocking three people’s escape with his car after they posed as police officers, ORF reported. Police arrested the three suspects.

The man received a call from an unknown number on Sunday afternoon. The caller claimed there had been several burglaries in the area and told him to hand over his valuables to police for safekeeping. He was told officers were on their way.

The man was away from home when the call came. As he headed back, his son, who was at the house, spotted three strangers on the property. The trio was about to leave when the father arrived. He blocked their way with his car and called police.

Police patrols arrived shortly afterwards and arrested two men, aged 21 and 18, and a 23-year-old woman. The suspects are from Vienna and Styria and, according to initial investigations, had travelled to Carinthia specifically for the crime. The criminal investigation unit of the Villach city police has taken over the case. The investigation is ongoing and at an early stage, police said on Sunday evening.

Several phone scams involving people posing as police were reported in Friesach on Saturday. The callers claimed burglars had been arrested carrying the victims’ personal details. Those contacted recognised the scam and reported it to police.