Elderly Couple in Bayreuth Loses €330,000 to Phone Scam

An elderly couple in Bayreuth, Germany, fell victim to a phone scam and lost €330,000. Scammers falsely claimed the couple's daughter was seriously ill and needed expensive foreign medications, persuading them to hand over the money. Police are seeking witnesses to the handover.

How the Scam Works

In the Bayreuth case, scammers used a classic family emergency scam:

They contacted the elderly couple by phone
Claimed the couple's daughter was seriously ill
Stated expensive medications from abroad were urgently needed
Created pressure by emphasizing the critical situation

This variant exploits parental love and the desire to protect one's children, making victims act quickly without proper verification.

Details of the Case

The loss of €330,000 makes this an unusually large-scale incident:

Timeline: Between July 20-27
Time of Handover: Between 8 PM and 11 PM
Location: Asternweg area and the intersection of Langen Zeile / Asternweg in Bayreuth

The person who collected the money was described as approximately 30 years old, 170 cm tall, with short dark brown hair, no beard or glasses, speaking standard German.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Be suspicious if you receive a call claiming to be from a family member and:

Information cannot be independently verified: No official documentation from hospitals or medical institutions is provided
Unusual payment methods are requested: Cash, wire transfers to unfamiliar accounts, or cryptocurrency are demanded
Direct communication is blocked: Excuses like "they can't talk right now" prevent you from confirming with the family member directly
You are pressured by time: Phrases like "we must act immediately" create urgency that discourages careful thinking

How to Protect Yourself

Hang up and verify independently: If contacted about a family emergency, call your family member back using a number you know is correct
Contact medical institutions directly: If high medical costs are mentioned, call the hospital yourself to verify
Establish a family code word: Agree on a secret phrase with family members for emergency verification
Avoid large cash transfers: Especially when the request is vague or unusual
Consult with others before acting: Tell your spouse or trusted people about the request before complying

How to Report

If you receive a suspicious call or have information about this case:

Bayreuth Police (Criminal Division): 0921/506-0
Local police departments
Consumer protection agencies in your region