Darmstadt (dpa/lhe) - Tricksters tricked a woman from Darmstadt with a false WhatsApp message and stole more than 1000 euros. The 62-year-old was contacted on Tuesday via the messenger service, the police said on Wednesday. The perpetrators pretended to be the woman's son, who was said to be in an emergency and needed around 1,250 euros in the short term. The 62-year-old transferred the money, only later recognized the fraud and informed the police.
Officials warned of the scam: "Never transfer money just based on a WhatsApp message. Be sure to contact the person asking for the money using the number you know." The story of a broken or lost mobile phone that is feigned in such cases can be seen through quickly and easily.
