Fraudster steals jewelry from seniors: police are looking for clues!

Fraudster steals jewelry from seniors: police are looking for clues!

An unscrupulous thief is up to mischief in Vienna and the surrounding area, posing as an antique collector and targeting older people. The police have been alerted and are now looking for the unknown person who caused a total of around 24,000 euros in damage between March 23rd and May 25th, 2025. The perpetrator's approach is captivating and just as perfidious, as she impresses her victims with charming and credible stories.

The woman, who is between 25 and 40 years old and around 165 cm tall, contacted potential victims via classified advertising platforms. During the personal meetings, she cleverly distracts those affected and steals jewelry and antiques that they had offered for sale. In one particularly brazen case, she even stole a victim's driver's license. In order to camouflage her actions, she poses under various identities, such as an antique dealer or her alleged brother.

The crime scenes and evidence collected

The police have already been able to prove three completed thefts and one attempted theft, with the crimes being committed in different locations: in Wiener Neustadt, Bad Sauerbrunn, Siegendorf and Vienna-Favoriten. The investigation is led by the Burgplatz police station, which receives all information about the identity or whereabouts of the perpetrator. Anyone who can provide information is asked to call 059133-3391-135.

The police are particularly targeting older people who could also be affected. “The perpetrator mainly targets senior citizens who want to sell their antiques or jewelry,” the reports say. The methods used by the perpetrator are not new, but are reminiscent of common scams that often target older people. Various tricks are used, such as false identities or diversionary tactics.

Protection against fraudsters

The Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth provides information on how to prevent such crimes. In a pamphlet titled “Guess Who’s Turn?” Typical procedures used by fraudsters are described and valuable tips are given on how to protect yourself from them. The perpetrators' most common methods range from telephone calls pretending to be relatives to doorstep visits pretending to be craftsmen. It is therefore advisable to always be skeptical and not to believe “very good deals” that seem too good to be true.

The search for the thief remains active and the police are asking for the public's help in bringing this brazen fraudster to justice. Every clue can be worth its weight in gold in preventing further damage.

If you or someone you know may also be affected, please do not hesitate to contact the police.