Hamburg, February 7, 2026 – At least three senior women in Hamburg have died following what are being described as “shock calls,” a sophisticated telephone scam. In one case, the public prosecutor’s office sees a direct connection between the fraudulent call and the victim’s death. The women, aged 80, 81, and 86, lived in the Rahlstedt, Poppenbüttel, and Marmstorf districts of Hamburg.
Investigation Links Scam to Death of 80-Year-Old Woman
In all three instances, fraudsters contacted the women by phone, posing as police officers or public prosecutors. They instilled fear in the victims and announced an imminent visit from an official. The “Hamburger Abendblatt” was the first to report on these tragic events.
A forensic medical report has established a direct link between the “shock call” and the death of the 80-year-old woman from Rahlstedt. Investigations into this case are ongoing. In the other two cases, there is a temporal connection, with the women dying a few days after receiving the fraudulent calls.
In Poppenbüttel, the perpetrators stole jewelry and savings books from one of the victims. In Marmstorf, it remains unclear whether any valuables were stolen. Investigations are underway against unknown persons in all three cases.
Police Issue Urgent Warning Against “Shock Calls”
In light of these incidents, the Hamburg Police have once again issued an urgent warning against “shock calls” and similar fraudulent schemes. They emphasize that genuine police officers or public prosecutors will never ask for money, jewelry, or other valuables over the phone. They will also never demand that assets be handed over or deposited anywhere.
Furthermore, the police do not put anyone under pressure or demand secrecy. Anyone who receives such a call should immediately hang up and dial 110 or a known police telephone number themselves – not the number displayed on their phone.
Relatives Urged to Sensitize Elderly Family Members
The perpetrators of these scams operate strategically. They frequently select their victims from telephone directories and preferentially target elderly individuals. While the specific narratives may vary, they generally follow a consistent pattern: creating fear, building trust, and demanding swift action. The police also advise families to discuss these fraudulent methods with their elderly relatives to raise awareness and prepare them for such situations.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/tod-nach-schock-anrufen-staatsanwaltschaft-sieht-zusammenhang,schockanruf-116.html
