Pensioner lures phone scammers into trap as police arrest unsuspecting tricksters

The man lured the scammers with quick thinking and some dramatic acting. Photo / 123rf

A switched-on pensioner used quick thinking and a bit of acting to outsmart scammers who tried to swindle him out of more than $150,000.

The 85-year-old German man lured and ambushed two phone fraudsters posing as police officers seeking urgent cash, the Guardian reported.

In an incident this week, he received a frantic call from a man claiming to be an officer needing bail money to help a distressed family member.

Familiar with the tactic, the pensioner calmly played along and began setting a trap.

He promised $23,000 cash and several valuable gold coins, arranging a time and location for the exchange, while his daughter alerted police.

Officers attended the drop-off point and arrested a 20-year-old suspect.

A similar ploy was attempted last September, when a caller requested $139,000 in cash.

“Then, too, he and his daughter reacted in an exemplary manner, which also led to the arrest of a courier,” police said.

A 40-year-old woman was arrested after turning up to collect the money.

The Guardian said in both incidents, the callers falsely claimed the cash was needed to secure a relative’s release after a fatal car crash.

Police urged people, especially older residents, to be wary of such calls and to never share personal or banking information.

Earlier this year, an elderly couple from Whangārei lost tens of thousands of dollars after fraudsters posing as bank staff convinced them to hand over their cards and PINs.

NZ Seniors reported cold-call scams represented 67% of cases on their Digital Trends Report.

Scammers often posed as trusted organisations like the IRD, claiming money was owed or they were due a refund, or faced urgent consequences, they said.

Swindlers often used personal details and pressure to gain trust, and might call about computer problems, employment or visas.

If unsure, people were advised to hang up and call the organisation directly, or report the scam to Netsafe.

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