Coordinated Operations Across Europe targeting Call Centre Scams
Let's Get the Lowdown on Europe's Relentless Phone Scammers
Yo, check it out. The cops' cybercrime division's been digging into a saucy scandal, a buncha scoundrels suspected of being part of a Europe-wide swindling crew runnin' phone scams. They're sly as a fox, posing as bankers or even cops, bilking folks - particularly the elderly - using fake bills, threats, or the allure of phony lottery earnings, according to the Saxon State Criminal Police Office and the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office.
Worldwide Raids
Early mornin', the boys in blue stormed premises in five countries – Germany, Greece, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. They swooped into 35 residences and business sites belonging to 39 scoundrels, grabbing mobile phones, data carriers, and docs. Warrants were served on two Greeks and one Turkish chap.
Germans weren't safe either, with raids goin' down in Saxony, Berlin, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland.
Moolah Missin'
The Public Prosecutor's Office is keepin' a close eye on things, probin' suspicions of commercial and organized fraud, along with money laundering in over 30,000 cases. The damages? At least a whoppin' eight million euros, bro.
Some Enrichin' Facts
- Recent Busts: Two Greece-bred criminals were nabbed in a cross-border inquiry into a humongous phone scam[2]. Also, in a raid against a phone-scamming ring, two Greeks and a Turk were apprehended[3]. These crooks are part of a gang of 170 suspects under investigation for commercial and organized fraud, as well as money laundering[3].
- Impersonatin' Authorities: The crooks pretended to be bank employees or police officers, employin' fake docs and scams involving gambling winnings and extortionate bills[3]. They targeted the elderly in both their own countries and across Europe.
- Callin' the Shots: This gang ran call centers that played a key role in persuadin' victims to pump cash into phony schemes or transfer dough based on bogus reasons[4][5]. In one instance, a fake online investment platform defrauded over a hundred victims of more than three million euros[4][5].
- Investigation and Enforcement Measures: The inquiries involved goin' hand in hand with agencies like Europol and Eurojust, workin' together to coordinate efforts and offer operational support[5].
- Nabbin' Criminals: Several busts have taken place, with locations searched in countries like Germany, Greece, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia[3][4]. Arrests have been made, and extradition procedures are underway for some suspects[5].
Technology played a significant role in the world's recent raids on a Europe-wide phone scam ranging across general-news topics, including crime and justice. The busts, involving over 30,000 cases of suspected commercial and organized fraud, were facilitated by evidence discovered on seized mobile phones and data carriers during the enforcement actions.
