Individual unwittingly transfers €10,000 to phone scammers
In a concerning trend, advance-fee phone scams promising large sums of money followed by demanded fees are becoming increasingly common across Europe. Germany leads the continent in scam-related digital crime, with over 890,000 cases reported in 2025 alone[1].
These scams typically promise victims a significant share of a large sum of money but require an upfront fee or several fees (for taxes, processing, bribes, or other fabricated costs) before the victim can receive the promised payout. The promised money never actually exists. Scammers use deceptive psychological tactics to keep victims engaged, including delays, additional fee requests, and emotional manipulation[2].
One such incident occurred in Papstdorf, Saxon Switzerland, where an 89-year-old woman was targeted. The scammers, posing as representatives from a law firm, promised her 70,000 euros. In an attempt to receive the promised money, a fee of approximately 2,500 euros was required. The woman, feeling pressured, transferred over 10,000 euros to a Lithuanian account, only to be asked for another 8,000 euros[3].
Such incidents serve as a reminder to be cautious of unsolicited calls and offers of large sums of money. It is crucial to independently verify such calls by contacting the organisation or individual directly using official contact details[4].
Other European countries, such as Sweden, have also reported similar incidents. In Sweden, scammers impersonated debt collection officers calling elderly citizens. They convinced victims they owed money for mobile phones ordered with their Digital-ID and then tricked them into authorizing transfers. The stolen funds were laundered via "money mules" using cryptocurrencies, gold, or cash withdrawals[3].
To prevent such scams, it is essential to protect personal information, avoid sharing personal identification numbers, banking details, or Digital-IDs over the phone. Reporting suspicious calls to local authorities and blocking unknown or suspicious numbers is also advised[4].
Collaborative efforts among banks, telecom companies, and law enforcement aim to detect and disrupt scam operations early[5]. Public awareness campaigns can inform especially vulnerable groups (like elderly people) about common scams and the warning signs. Employing call-blocking tools and scams-detection apps, and keeping devices updated to protect against malware, are also effective strategies[4].
In summary, advance-fee phone scams promising large sums of money followed by demands for fees are a significant and growing threat in Europe. Combating these scams requires vigilance, education, and the use of technological defenses combined with law enforcement action[1][2][3][5]. If you suspect a scam, it is encouraged to report it to the police to prevent further scams.
Finance-related scams, such as advance-fee phone scams, are often found under general-news categories, and they are linked to crime-and-justice due to the deceptive and illegal nature of these scams. For instance, scammers in Europe, like those in Papstdorf, Germany, are reported to have defrauded an elderly woman by promising her a large sum of money and demanding fees under various pretenses, such as taxes or processing costs [2][3]. Awareness of such scams is crucial, and it's essential to protect personal information, be cautious of unsolicited calls, and report suspicious activities to the police [4].
