Crime wave hits central Hesse as scammers and thieves strike multiple towns
**Mittelhessen Police Headquarters – Press Office**
***Gießen** (ots)*
**Bad Nauheim: Scammers swindle elderly couple out of €30,000**
In a brazen act of fraud, scammers in Bad Nauheim tricked an elderly couple out of €30,000. On Wednesday afternoon (10.09.2025), one of the con artists called the couple's landline, posing as a bank employee. He claimed that large quantities of counterfeit money were in circulation and that substantial sums had already been withdrawn from their account. He told them another bank staff member was on the way to their home to assist. At that very moment, the doorbell rang. A man in his early 40s stood at the door, flashing a business card with the bank's logo. He explained that bank cards were being cloned at ATMs and that he needed to inspect the couple's cards. The caller remained on the line throughout.
The woman handed over their bank cards after being assured they would receive new ones the same day. The scammer then asked if they had any cash at home, claiming he needed to check for counterfeit bills. Under the pretense of exchanging the supposed fake money, he pocketed over €750 before leaving. Three-quarters of an hour later, he returned, stating that he had blocked their cards and that they would receive new ones—along with the "exchanged" genuine money—the next day. Throughout his visit, he spoke on the phone with an accomplice.
When the woman pointed out that €5,000 had just been withdrawn from their accounts at a Bad Nauheim ATM in quick succession, the caller instructed her to speak again with his "supervisor." A different voice then came on the line, claiming that an additional transfer of €25,000 had to be made via online banking to set a trap for the criminals. The police were supposedly already involved, and the couple was warned not to tell anyone, as it could jeopardize the investigation. If the bank called to verify the transaction, they were told to confirm it. After the transfer was made, the scammer left, and the call ended. It was only after speaking with relatives that evening that the couple realized they had been defrauded.
**Police advice:** In such cases, always verify whether the stranger is genuinely from your bank before letting them in. Ask to see official ID and call the supposed employer yourself—using a number you look up independently—while keeping the person outside. Involve a trusted individual, such as a family member, friend, or neighbor. If in doubt, ask the person to return later when someone you trust is present. In emergencies, call the police (including the emergency number 110) and never disclose financial details to strangers.
**Butzbach: Car burglar arrested after tip from witness**
A witness spotted a man attempting to break into a car in Kirch-Göns' Bahnhofstraße at around 3:50 a.m. on Tuesday (09.09.2025). The suspect then fled on a bicycle. The witness immediately alerted police. Shortly afterward, officers from Butzbach Police Station apprehended a suspect matching the witness's description near Kirch-Göns station. Investigations revealed five incidents that had occurred overnight in the area: attempted car break-ins, thefts from unlocked vehicles, and a stolen bicycle.
At the request of the Gießen Public Prosecutor's Office, the 28-year-old homeless man was brought before Friedberg District Court on Wednesday (10.09.2025). A warrant for his pretrial detention was issued, and he is now being held in a Hessian correctional facility.
**Bad Vilbel: Burglar enters home through basement window** **Burglars Break into Residence in Massenheim via Basement Window**
Between Sunday (September 7, 2025) at 3:00 PM and Wednesday (September 10, 2025) at 2:00 PM, thieves entered a home on Harheimer Weg in Massenheim through a basement window. The burglars made off with cash and jewelry. Witnesses who noticed suspicious activity during this period are asked to contact the criminal police in Friedberg (Tel.: 06031 6010).
**Niddatal: Vibrating Plate Stolen from Construction Site**
In the early hours of Wednesday (September 10, 2025), at around 4:40 AM, thieves stole a vibrating plate from a construction site on Am Steinacker in Ilbenstadt. The construction machine, secured by an excavator bucket, is valued at nearly €7,000. Friedberg police are asking: Did anyone witness the theft? Have any suspicious individuals or vehicles been seen near the construction site on Am Steinacker? Please report any information to Friedberg Police Station (Tel.: 06031 6010).
**Tobias Schwarz, Police Spokesperson**
For inquiries, please contact:
**Central Hesse Police Headquarters** Press and Public Relations Fernie Straße 8 35394 Gießen Phone: +49 641/7006-2055 (Press Line) Email: **[email protected]**
**Outside Regular Business Hours** Duty Police Commander Phone: +49 641/7006-3381 Email: **[email protected]**
*Source: Central Hesse Police Headquarters – Press Office, distributed via news aktuell*
