Taxi driver saves 78-year-old from a perfidious attempt to fraud!

Taxi driver saves 78-year-old from a perfidious attempt to fraud!

On April 25, 2025, a remarkable example of civil courage was recognized. The district administrator Dr. Kai Zwicker presented a commemorative certificate to Thomas Ebbing, an attentive taxi driver from Borken. In January 2023, Ebbing had stopped trying to fraud who had a 78-year-old woman's goal. During the trip, Ebbing noticed the tension of the woman and heard parts of a phone call that showed alarming signs of a "shock call".

The fraudsters who spoke as members of the woman had claimed that her daughter had been involved in a fatal traffic accident. They called for a high payment payment to protect the daughter from an alleged custody. The older lady had already taken the emotional manipulation of the perpetrators so much that she had several thousand euros and jewelry ready for handing over. Thanks to the quick and determined action by Ebbing, the fraud could be prevented.

The stitch of the fraudsters

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has been urging "shock calls" since May 2023. With this fraud stitch, the perpetrators not only pretend to be family members, but also as representatives of state institutions, such as the police or public prosecutor, to put the victims under pressure. The victims are put into an emergency that urgently urges them to help financially. It is often claimed that a relative is involved in a serious crime and threatens prison, which can lead to the extortion of high amounts of money in combination with emotional calls.

fraudsters often demand sums of up to 100,000 euros and use different callers who hand over to each other to the conversation to increase the pressure on the victim. However, Ebbing was able to help the woman in good time before falling into a financial crisis.

prevention measures and information

To protect yourself from such frauds, the BKA provides the following advice:

• Never follow the callers' request.
• do not get involved in discussions and do not let yourself be put under pressure.
• puts on the conversation immediately if such a call is made.
• do not reveal any personal or financial details.
• call relatives under known numbers.
• police or state institutions never call for cash.
• Never give money or valuables to strangers.
• don't let any strangers in your apartment.
• immediately contact the local police station if suspected fraud.
• those affected can contact advice centers such as the "white ring".

The incidents related to "shock calls" indeed take worrying proportions. Thanks to the vigilance of people like Thomas Ebbing, however, the hope remains that there will be fewer victims through committed citizens. Such acts require joint efforts to draw the population aware of the dangers and strengthen preventive measures. Further information can be found on the website of the Police crime prevention .

Thomas Ebbing is emphasized as a model, the courageous action of which not only saved the life of an older woman, but also serves as an urgent request to be vigilant towards fraud stitches. His fearless handling of a potential crisis creates a sign of hope in a world in which fraudsters mostly act in the dark.