On December 6, 2024, an extensive international police operation culminated in the arrest of 15 individuals linked to the notorious 'grandchild scam' across Europe, with significant contributions from the Lower Saxony police.

The operation successfully thwarted 391 scam attempts, preventing potential losses exceeding 4.85 million euros.

Approximately 1,000 law enforcement personnel participated daily in this two-week operation, highlighting the scale of the effort.

The 'grandchild scam' typically targets elderly individuals, where perpetrators impersonate relatives in distress, claiming emergencies that require immediate financial assistance.

The suspects, aged between 18 and 67, made deceptive calls to victims, with nine acting as collectors for the organized crime groups.

Authorities advise the public to be cautious of unsolicited calls from alleged relatives asking for money and to refrain from sharing personal information over the phone.

All victims involved in the operation were able to recover their money and valuables from the suspects.

During the raids, authorities seized extensive evidence, including mobile phones, laptops, luxury watches, and cash, which are currently under analysis.

As part of the operation, three call centers in Poland were dismantled, disrupting a significant portion of the fraud infrastructure.

In Lower Saxony alone, the operation is estimated to have prevented losses of approximately 1.5 million euros.

Notably, a 29-year-old suspect was arrested during a staged meeting while attempting to collect cash and valuables from a victim.

This operation marks the third cross-border effort aimed at combating this type of fraud, reflecting ongoing international collaboration.