Fake Police Scams in Austria
Fraudsters impersonate Austrian Bundespolizei or Europol officers over the phone, pressuring victims into handing over cash or bank credentials under threat of arrest.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake-police telephone fraud is a well-documented problem in Austria, particularly affecting elderly residents. Scammers call claiming to be officers of the Bundespolizei or Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), warning the victim that their bank account is at risk from criminal activity and that cash or securities must be handed to a 'plainclothes officer' for safekeeping.
Austrian police have run public-awareness campaigns about this fraud, yet losses continue to accumulate — often in the tens of thousands of EUR per victim. The scam exploits deference to authority that is culturally common, especially among older Austrians.
How this scam works on Austria
A call arrives on a spoofed number appearing to match the local police non-emergency line. The caller identifies as a Leutnant or Inspektor and warns that the victim's bank is compromised by internal fraud, and that their funds must be 'secured' immediately.
Victims are told to withdraw cash and hand it to a plainclothes officer who will arrive at their door, or to transfer funds to a 'police safe account'. In some variants, they are instructed to buy gold or gift cards.
A co-conspirator posing as a 'bank security officer' may also call to corroborate the story and pressure the victim to act without consulting family members.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call from police claiming your bank account is in danger
- Request to withdraw cash and hand it to someone at your door
- Request to transfer EUR to a 'police safe account' or 'state protection account'
- Caller insists you do not discuss the matter with family or your bank
- Caller ID appears to show official police number — Austrian police never call for cash
- Urgency: 'officers will arrive in 30 minutes, do not leave the house'
How to protect yourself
- Hang up immediately — Austrian police never ask for cash or bank transfers over the phone
- Call the official police number 133 directly from a different phone to verify any claim
- Discuss the call with a trusted family member or friend before taking any action
- Never open the door to a stranger claiming to be a plainclothes officer without showing official photo ID verified via 133
- Alert elderly relatives about this scam type
- Contact the Opferschutzbund (victim support) at weisser-ring.at if you have been targeted
How to report it
- Call 133 (Polizeinotruf) or 059133 for the Bundeskriminalamt
- File a report at bmi.gv.at or in person at the nearest Polizeiinspektion
- Report to Watchlist Internet at watchlist.internet.at for public awareness tracking
Frequently asked questions
Will Austrian police ever come to collect cash from my home?
No. No legitimate Austrian police officer will arrive at your home to collect cash or valuables for 'safekeeping'. This is always a scam.