Nearly 600 Danes have been defrauded of millions of Danish krone in the first three months of the year by criminals posing as bank couriers. The fraudulent scheme involves scammers calling victims, claiming to be bank representatives, and convincing them that their payment cards are at risk of misuse.

The scammers then dispatch a “bank courier” to the victim’s home to collect the card and PIN code, promising to safeguard them at the bank. Once in possession of the card, the criminals empty the victim’s account. In many cases, the fraudsters also persuade victims to hand over jewelry and other valuables under the guise of providing assistance.

This rise in fraud has prompted warnings from banks and law enforcement. According to Finans Danmark, the banks’ interest organization, the number of Danes falling victim to this scam has increased from approximately 160 per month last year to almost 200 per month this year.

The total amount stolen by these fake bank couriers in the first three months of the year reached DKK 8.4 million, averaging DKK 2.8 million per month. While the number of cases and the amount stolen appear to be increasing, banks state that the development is stagnating.

This type of fraud, involving criminals physically appearing at victims’ homes, is a relatively new trend. Law enforcement has noted that victims are typically over 80 years old. Authorities believe this form of fraud is committed by organized groups who have specialized in targeting this vulnerable demographic.

Police reports confirm the rise in these incidents. In one instance, an 82-year-old woman in Gentofte was called by someone claiming to be from her bank, who then sent a man to her home to collect her credit card and PIN. Shortly thereafter, a large sum of money was withdrawn from her account.

Authorities urge relatives to educate elderly family members about this type of fraud and to emphasize that banks will never send couriers to customers’ homes to collect payment cards or valuables. Once a payment card, PIN, or valuables have been handed over, it is usually too late to prevent the fraud, and the money is typically lost.