Police warn

Telephone fraudsters rip off gullible Vorarlberg residents

The scam is as imaginative as it is brazen: Callers try to take money out of the pockets of gullible Vorarlberg residents with a wide variety of stories - from allegedly winning millions to debts to a debt collection agency to a relative who has died in an accident. And they are quite successful. 

Despite repeated warnings from the police, some victims have seen five-figure sums of money disappear never to be seen again. Ripping off gullible citizens over the phone seems to be a lucrative business. So lucrative, in fact, that a wave of fraudulent phone calls is currently sweeping the country.

Specifically, the perpetrators claim to have won millions or to owe money to a debt collection agency, warns the police. The perpetrators try to unsettle the victims with these tall tales. They then ask for bank details or demand that money be transferred.

Tips from the police
The criminal investigation department strongly advises never to disclose information about valuables, available cash or bank balances. Officials, the court or other reputable companies will never ask for such information over the phone. Dubious calls should be terminated immediately or the name of the officer, his office and telephone availability should be specifically requested.

In any case, the matter should be reported to the nearest police station. It is also advisable to inform relatives and acquaintances about this scam. Suspicious observations can be reported to any police station.