Fake Police Officers Target Pedestrians in Dietzenbach Scam
Two men posing as police officers targeted pedestrians in Dietzenbach on Monday evening. The fake officers stopped three people on Otto-Hahn-Straße before conducting a suspicious search. Authorities are now investigating the incident as a case of impersonation. The encounter began when an unidentified man and his accomplice approached the pedestrians while inside a blue Audi. The passenger, claiming to be a police officer, demanded identification and searched their pockets with a pen-like device. He allegedly told them he was checking for drugs.
The passenger was described as heavyset, around 50 years old, with short dark hair and a police badge displayed on his black jacket. The driver, a slim man in his mid-to-late 50s, had curly hair and wore a white zip-up sweater with black side stripes. Both spoke German, though the passenger also used broken English and possibly an Eastern European language.
After finding nothing during the search, the suspects fled the scene in their vehicle. Police suspect the men were attempting to steal money or valuables. Witnesses with information are asked to contact the criminal investigation hotline at 069 8098-1234.
Such incidents have been reported more frequently in recent years. In the PI Soltau area of Lower Saxony, cases of fake police checks peaked at 316 in 2020 and reached 213 in 2025. North Rhine-Westphalia has also seen similar crime trends, though detailed federal data remains limited. The investigation into the Dietzenbach incident is ongoing. Authorities continue to warn the public about fake police checks, which often target vulnerable groups like truck drivers and seniors. Anyone encountering suspicious activity is advised to verify officers' credentials before complying with requests.
