Adolescent Allegedly Sends Over 360,000 Deceptive Text Messages to Recipients - "Seventeen-year-old Individual Accused of Sending Over 360,000 Deceptive Text Messages"
In a bold move against suspected SMS scammers, authorities conducted a major raid in the Cologne area. Over a dozen search warrants for private residences were executed, targeting the culprits behind the widespread "Hi Mom/Dad" SMS scam that has been plaguing German phone users since 2023.
This deceptive text message, designed to evoke emotions, often appears as a supposed update from a child's new number. The senders, who are not the children of the recipients, aim to instill worry and fear, using subsequent messages to solicit financial aid under the guise of a child in distress.
The crooks always ask for money, be it "Can you lend me 500 € for a moment?" or "Could you transfer something urgent for me?" Once the money is transferred to their account, communication ceases. In the recently conducted raid, the Cologne police managed to disrupt this operation, targeting a group of scammers who had lured young people into providing their bank cards and PIN numbers.
However, a 17-year-old Cologne resident suspected of sending over 360,000 of these fraudulent messages evaded an arrest warrant, as the legal requirements were not met. Ulrich Bremer, senior public prosecutor in Cologne, explained that while the searches served to corroborate the existing suspicion, the required strong suspicion of a crime had not yet been established.
During the searches, the officers seized an abundance of evidence, including around 25 mobile phones, several laptops, gift and SIM cards, over 250 grams of cocaine, and around 10,000 euros in cash. Since December 1, 2024, over 160 proceedings for money laundering and fraud have been initiated by the Cologne police, with estimated financial damages exceeding 100,000 euros.
Though comprehensive data on the effectiveness of these law enforcement efforts and the precise financial losses incurred are not readily available, it's clear that cybercrime, particularly SMS scams, remains a significant threat to the German population. Stay vigilant, and remember that no financial help should be provided over unverified messages.
Other suspects, aiming to continue the operation in 2023, were also targeted during the raid. Several incriminating SMS messages were discovered on the seized devices, providing further evidence against these scammers. Despite the arrests, authorities are still warning citizens to be wary of SMS scams, with the aim of minimizing financial losses.
