Arrest in Vienna-Favoriten: 23-year-old allegedly collected money from victims while posing as a police officer

Course of the arrest

Investigators assume that the arrested man is part of a larger criminal organization that uses the fake police officer scam as its method. In this form of fraud, callers pose as police officers and persuade the targets to hand over cash or valuables to an alleged colleague.

According to police, the arrested man himself allegedly took on the role of the so-called "collector" – the person who personally picks up the money or valuables from the victims. The specific charges and the number of already identified victims are, according to reports, still the subject of ongoing investigations.

Role of the "collector"

The authorities expect a high number of unreported cases and are calling on additional possible victims to come forward. Those affected can contact the Vienna State Criminal Police Office at telephone number 01/31310, extension DW 33800, or any police station. The Vienna Police also emphasize that genuine police officers would never demand money or valuables or take them into safekeeping.

Furthermore, the investigators advise that in the case of suspicious calls, the conversation should be ended immediately and the police emergency number 133 should be dialed. In addition, personal or financial data should generally not be disclosed over the phone.

Warning and police appeal

Police announced that the investigations would be continued on suspicion of participation in a criminal organization and fraud. No information was initially available regarding possible further arrests in the surroundings of the now-arrested 23-year-old.

According to police, the public prosecutor's office is reviewing the scope of the charges and the possible counts in any indictment. Until a formal indictment is filed, the suspect is considered innocent in the legal sense; the evidentiary situation will be further substantiated on the basis of the seized exhibits and the statements of possible victims.

According to police, tips from the population should help to better map the network behind the crimes. The authorities emphasize that even smaller amounts obtained in a similar manner can be reported.

Investigators expect that the gang was active over a longer period and may have deployed several persons as "collectors." The analysis of the seized mobile phones and documents is expected to provide further insights in the coming weeks.

The case is part of a series of incidents involving the fake police officer scam that have repeatedly been recorded in Austria and other European countries in recent years. Police see coordinated investigative work as a way to sustainably dismantle such gangs.

At this point in time, no information has been published regarding how many victims have so far been identified or what sums were specifically stolen. The authorities announced that further details would be published in due course.