Here the fraudsters buy watches, gold and electronics – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country

In recent weeks, the number of frauds on the elderly has exploded in Oslo, the police warn. In September alone, 24 elderly people are said to have been defrauded by people who have visited them at home. The police believe there are several different networks operating at the same time. Last Monday, three women were exposed to such frauds in the capital. One of the victims, a woman in her 80s, was defrauded of over NOK 100,000. Large sums spent on restaurants and watch purchases An overview news has gained access to shows that almost 50 elderly frauds have been carried out in Oslo so far this year. Almost half happened in September. The map below shows where fraud on the elderly has been committed in the Oslo area so far this year: The red points show which areas, according to the police, fraud on the elderly has been committed in the Oslo area so far this year. The points are set generally for an area, and do not show the specific addresses where the frauds occurred. Pictures news has obtained show how the supposed fraudsters enrich themselves at the expense of vulnerable elderly people. In the last month, they have spent large sums on gold watches, restaurant visits and various types of electronics. Several times they have taken the victims’ bank cards and paid for various goods. This watch was bought for NOK 120,000. Photo: The police Pretending to be the police news has previously discussed how the fraudsters get into the homes of vulnerable elderly people. The fraudsters call in advance and often pretend to be from the police. Later, they travel to the victim’s home, and warn that someone is trying to trick them. The victim is happy to know that they are sitting on confidential information and that they must not contact anyone else. The fraudsters then take control of the victim’s bank accounts and drain them of money. The method is called Safehouse scams. – While these sit with the duty of confidentiality over them, the accounts of the aggrieved are drained of money, says police attorney Alexander Bjorvatn Øien. Police prosecutor Alexander Bjorvatn Øien says there were 48 cases of elderly fraud in the Oslo area in September. Photo: Inger Kristine Lee / news Big sums It varies greatly how much the fraudsters are able to deceive. So far this year, fraudsters in the Oslo area have gotten away with anything from NOK 50,000 to up to NOK 500,000, according to the police. – It may not sound like a lot, but for the older ladies who have organized criminals at their home, it is a lot, says Sebastian Claydon Tackle, who heads DNB’s cyber crime centre. DNB also notices that frauds have increased in scope recently. – Whether it has something to do with their ability to recruit people to show up or to move money, I’m not sure, says Takle. Sebastian Takle in DNB. Photo: Truls Alnes Antonsen / Truls Alnes Antonsen/news Several arrests in September During September, six people were arrested and charged with elderly fraud in Oslo. The police believe they are involved in various ways in a larger case complex. Video surveillance and teledata link them to each other, explains police attorney Øien. – It may look like there are several networks working on this at the same time. The investigation will try to determine whether there is information sharing between them, he says. – Is there reason to believe that there are professional masterminds here, who manage and employ people to commit these frauds? – It is also something that the investigation must seek to map. news has been in contact with the defenses of all the accused. Neither of them wants to comment on the matter. Will never ask for BankID The police never ask for someone’s pin code. Nor will they ever request information about your BankID, police attorney Øien clarifies. – We also do not ask you to transfer money to a specified account. As long as you know, you understand and have the opportunity to expose the possible frauds. DNB and the police: This is what you should do to deal with such fraud attempts Contact the police on 112, if someone answers the door and says they are from the police and that they need your BankID, your bank cards or your mobile phone. Contact your bank immediately if you suspect that you may have been the victim of fraud or you have provided information that you think others can use to gain access to your money. Feel free to hang up if the inquiry you receive feels uncomfortable, stressful or strange . ALWAYS hang up if you are asked to enter your BankID. Never give your BankID information to the police or the bank, or transfer money at the request of others. The bank or the police will never ask you for this. Please be aware that the police and bank telephone numbers can be misused, so that it can appear as if these actors are calling Contact the official number of the bank if you are in doubt, do not call back a number you have been provided by those who call you. Published 01.10.2024, at 12.41



ttn-69