An 87-year-old man became the victim of a serious fraud in Vienna-Meidling. Unknown perpetrators seized a six-figure sum in euros on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Previously, a woman had posed as an employee of a bank’s fraud department over the phone.

With a fabricated story about an alleged fraud attempt on his account, she convinced the pensioner to leave a bag of cash at an agreed location on a public street. When the man left, the money was taken by as yet unknown perpetrators. The Vienna State Criminal Police Office has taken over the investigation.

According to the Vienna State Police Directorate, the incident occurred on Wednesday around 1:15 PM. A previously unknown woman contacted the 87-year-old by phone and claimed to work for the fraud department of a banking institution.

She explained to the man that someone had tried to withdraw money from his bank account under a false identity. However, the alleged fraud department had noticed the incident in time and had already involved the police. With this story, the caller gave the impression that the man needed to help solve a crime. According to the police, it was actually a scam.

As the phone call progressed, the woman asked the 87-year-old to perform an unusual action. He was to deposit his cash reserves in a bag at a specific location on a public street. The money was allegedly needed as bait to catch the supposed fraudsters during further investigations.

The pensioner believed the story and followed the instructions. After he had placed the bag and left the location, it was taken by an as yet unknown perpetrator. The man thereby lost a six-figure sum in euros. The police did not disclose exactly how much money was stolen.

After the incident became known, the State Criminal Police Office Vienna, robbery investigation department, took over the investigations. The identity of the caller and those who took the money is not yet known.

There is also no detailed information in the police release about whether several people were involved in the fraud together or if there are similar cases. No arrest has been reported.

The investigations are ongoing.

The Vienna State Police Directorate takes the case as an opportunity to warn again about fraudulent phone calls. It is particularly important to clarify that the police never ask for cash or valuables for safekeeping.

Private individuals are also not asked to provide money as bait for investigations. Anyone receiving such a call should end the conversation immediately and contact the police independently. The police recommend calling the emergency number 133 for suspicious phone calls.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call or has already fallen victim to a similar scam should contact the police.

Additionally, the crime prevention unit of the Vienna State Criminal Police Office offers advice. The responsible office can be reached at the phone number 0800 216346.

Victims or relatives can also contact crime prevention via email. The police generally advise being particularly cautious with unexpected monetary demands and independently verifying the identity of supposed bank or police employees.

The case from Vienna-Meidling shows how criminals can exploit the supposed authority of banks and security agencies. The unknown caller did not claim to need money herself. Instead, she conveyed to the 87-year-old that he could help with police investigations by providing his cash.

According to the police, it was precisely this portrayal that led the man to leave his money at a public place. Whether the perpetrators have contacted other victims using the same method is unknown.

The police therefore remind that cash handovers or depositing valuables are never part of such a police request.

(Ed.)

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