In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), but also in other federal states, more and more elderly people are increasingly becoming the target of crime. Shock calls, the infamous grandchild trick and other perfidious scams are targeting the belongings of senior citizens. But the danger is not only lurking on the phone - other crimes against older people are also unfortunately on the rise.
Increase in the number of victims
According to an answer from the Ministry of the Interior to a question from the SPD parliamentary group, the number of crimes against senior citizens has risen alarmingly. While a total of 12,831 people over the age of 60 were victims of crime in 2013, this figure rose to an alarming 20,766 in 2022. This corresponds to an increase of 7935 victims - or 61% - compared to 2013. Particularly noticeable here are crimes of brutality[mfn]Wikipedia: Definition of brute force offense[/mfn] such as robbery or assault as well as crimes against personal liberty.
Vulnerability of senior citizens
Christina Kampmann, domestic policy spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group, describes the rising number of victims and the amount of damage as "frightening". She emphasizes that older people are particularly vulnerable and in need of protection. They often suffer longer and more severely from the consequences of a crime.
Why do senior citizens suffer longer from the consequences of a crime or fraud?
Seniors suffer longer from the consequences of a crime or attempted fraud, as older people are often physically and emotionally more fragile, which makes them vulnerable to traumatic experiences. Furthermore, seniors often have a limited social network, which makes it much more difficult to get support and advice.
It should also be borne in mind that most pensioners are not financially independent. Pensioners simply cannot afford to take losses, which can also lead to ongoing stress and anxiety, including psychological consequences.
Illnesses take longer for senior citizens. Recovery takes more time and energy than for younger people. This is why older people recover more slowly from such shocks than younger people.
Perfidious scams
In addition to classic scams such as the grandchild trick and shock calls, senior citizens are also targeted by criminals in other areas. The perpetrators are extremely unscrupulous and accept that their victims may lose a large part of their hard-earned savings.
Grandson trick: a perfidious deception
The so-called grandchild trick is a targeted approach by fraudsters. They contact elderly people by telephone and gain the trust of their victims by cleverly conducting the conversation. They often pretend to be close relatives in order to deceive the victims. Later, accomplices appear to collect the money or valuables. The fraudsters often operate from call centers abroad, which makes investigations more difficult.
It is therefore imperative that relatives educate and sensitize their elderly family members, as there has been a considerable increase in such shock calls in Germany, especially in the last year. Many families therefore make up a kind of code word that can be used by the elderly in an emergency. If in doubt, hang up and call the allegedly affected person yourself.
Prevention and protection
Experts warn of the increasing threat to older people. Although the police invest a lot in investigation and prevention, the masterminds behind these crimes often remain abroad and evade investigation. The scams and psychological tricks used are also becoming increasingly unscrupulous and highly manipulative.
Conclusion on senior citizen scams by con artists
It is crucial that we protect our older citizens from violence and fraud. Through targeted education, increased prevention measures and consistent law enforcement, w e can help senior citizens feel safer and less likely to become victims of crime. If you only suspect that your family member has been the victim of violence, talk about it openly but gently. Many senior citizens do not broach this subject, and women in particular tend to remain silent. Create an environment in which you can communicate openly, while at the same time ensuring safety.
