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Police warn of an incident on Gervinusstrasse and offer advice on how to behave
On Thursday afternoon (March 27), a brazen theft by deception occurred on Gervinusstrasse in Darmstadt: Two unknown individuals posed as tradesmen around 4 p.m. and gained access to a senior citizen's apartment under the pretext of alleged water damage. The perpetrators deliberately took advantage of the situation and stole jewelry and cash.
The criminal police in Darmstadt (K21/22) have launched an investigation and ask any witnesses who have made suspicious observations to contact them on the telephone number 06151 / 969 – 0 .
Police offer tips on how to protect yourself from fraud
Following the incident, the police are again warning about scams perpetrated by bogus tradespeople and are offering the following advice:
- Do not let strangers into the apartment unless an appointment has been made.
- Ask to see identification – reputable tradespeople can always prove their identity.
- If in doubt, call the company yourself – use a phone number from the phone book , not the one provided by the tradesman.
- If in doubt, contact the police – if you are unsure, it is better to call the emergency number 110 immediately.
background
Doorstep fraud is one of the most common crimes targeting elderly people. The perpetrators often work in pairs – one person distracts the victim while the other steals valuables. This makes it all the more important to be especially vigilant and to react quickly if you suspect a scam.
