Dresden: Brazen fraud on 88-year-old - perpetrator skillfully tricks!

Dresden: Brazen fraud on 88-year-old - perpetrator skillfully tricks!

On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, an unfortunate case of fraud occurred in Dresden, which victimized an 88-year-old woman. The incident took place on Schloßstrasse, where an unknown man specifically approached the elderly woman and, by pretending to be in dire straits, convinced her to hand him 1,000 euros. The old lady withdrew the money from an ATM, believing she was helping someone in need. In return, however, she received only two inferior razors and five kitchen knives, which bore no relation to its value. The police have started an investigation into fraud and are asking the public for information about the unknown perpetrator. This is reported by the Saxon.

But this incident is just another example of the unscrupulous activities of fraudsters who specialize in targeting older people. Current reports, such as those from Federal press portal, show that fraud cases are increasing in frequency in the region. The police repeatedly warn about the various scams, which are often perfidious and well planned.

Common scams at a glance

A particularly common variant is the “grandchild trick,” in which perpetrators pose as close relatives and ask for urgent money transfers. These fraudsters put pressure on their victims' minds and put them under pressure. “Fake police officers” are also on the rise. They pretend to be police officers on the phone and claim that burglars are after the victims' savings. The prerequisite is to agree on the handover date for valuables. Here too, the police have clear structures in place to help seniors protect themselves from such rip-off methods

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The police therefore recommends never letting strangers into your home and, if in doubt, always making sure that someone is actually at the door with an official order. Time pressure when making contracts or handing over money should also cause mistrust.

Fear of criminal threats among older people has increased in recent years, even though they are statistically less likely to become victims of crime. Nevertheless, the subjective perception of safety significantly influences the quality of life. In many cases, the feeling of insecurity is a motivation for seniors to actively participate in prevention programs and information events.

The police are trying to increase the feeling of security among the population through educational work. Among other things, the brochure “Living Safely. Guide for the Older and the Young at Heart” is offered, which offers valuable information on how to avoid cases of fraud. This is a step in the right direction because attentive and informed citizens are an important part of preventing crime.