Fraud drama in Stendal: Unknown people steal hundreds of thousands of euros!

Fraud drama in Stendal: Unknown people steal hundreds of thousands of euros!

There was a large-scale fraud case in the Stendal district in which a 57-year-old woman became a victim of cybercrime. The unknown perpetrators posed as bank employees and asked the woman to enter personal information. After the woman submitted the requested information, she received a call from a supposed bank employee who further misled her. As a result, she made several transfers, causing her to suffer financial losses in the mid-six figures. Investigations by the criminal police were initiated immediately as this is not the first incident of this kind and the Stendal police strongly warn against such fraud methods.

The alerts are particularly aimed at people who receive similar calls or emails from alleged bank employees. The police describe these as examples of phishing emails in which the perpetrators aim to obtain sensitive data or transfers. Users should be careful not to disclose any personal information and not to make transfers when requested by telephone. If you receive suspicious calls, the police advise you to hang up immediately and inform the bank of your known contact details.

The rise of cybercrime

The incident in Stendal highlights the increasing threat of cybercrime, which affects both companies and private individuals. According to Statista, phishing is one of the most common methods of obtaining personal data. In March 2025, around 347,000 phishing websites were discovered that aimed to trap inexperienced users. The perpetrators' methods are varied and range from fake websites to fraudulent emails that urgently request passwords or TANs to be revealed.

In addition to phishing, ransomware attacks are a serious threat. They deploy malware that blocks systems or encrypts data until a ransom is paid. The financial consequences of these attacks are enormous and vary by country. In the healthcare sector, which is particularly vulnerable, the average cost of a data breach is over $7 million. Global cybersecurity spending is estimated at around $95 billion in 2025, demonstrating the urgency with which companies and institutions need to protect themselves.

Recommendations for avoiding scams

Given all these dangers, it is essential to take preventive measures. The police and cyber security experts recommend implementing organizational and technical security measures. This includes the use of firewalls and VPNs as well as new technologies based on artificial intelligence. More and more companies are also choosing to insure themselves against cyber risks to protect themselves from financial losses.

Overall, the case in Stendal shows that cybercrime is a serious problem that affects citizens and institutions alike. It is crucial to remain vigilant and take concrete steps to improve security.