Shock calls in Magdeburg: Fraudsters pretend to be hospital professors

With a particularly brazen scam, fraudsters in Magdeburg tried to deprive older people of their savings. Several seniors received calls from an alleged hospital professor urgently demanding money for a family member's surgery. Unknown persons from MDR SAXONY-ANHALT tried several times on Wednesday evening to cheat seniors in Magdeburg with so-called shock calls. According to the police, the victims were between 80 and 93 years old.

Investigators are aware of at least six cases so far. The callers posed as a hospital professor and described a dramatic situation: a close relative was seriously ill and urgently needed surgery. For the procedure, they each demanded a sum in the lower five-digit range. With the invented emergency, the fraudsters apparently wanted to ensure that the seniors handed over the money as quickly as possible.

According to previous findings, however, no one fell for the scam. There was no financial damage. Police investigated In all known cases, the police initiated criminal proceedings for attempted fraud. She advises not to be put under pressure during such calls and to always check the information directly with relatives or acquaintances.

Money or valuables should never be handed over to unknown persons. Anyone who suspects a fraud attempt should contact the police. MDR (Susanne Liermann)