Berlin-Neukölln: police release photos of suspect in fraud on 81-year-old woman
A fake bank employee, a supposed "chief inspector" on the phone, then a "colleague" at the door: Berlin police publish camera images and appeal for witnesses.
Symbolic image · Photo: Dickelbers / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Berlin police are using surveillance camera images to search for a suspect who allegedly defrauded an 81-year-old woman in Neukölln. The crime dates back some time – it happened on 17 September 2025 at around 2 p.m. – but the appeal was published on Friday, 9 October 2026. According to police, several as yet unidentified people were involved.
First, an unknown caller posing as a bank employee told the woman that a transfer abroad from her account had been stopped and that the police had to be involved. During the call, another alleged accomplice introduced himself as "Chief Inspector Tellermann". Shortly afterwards, a supposed "colleague" calling himself "Oliver Behrens" rang the doorbell, gained entry to the flat and searched it with the woman for valuables. She later noticed that jewellery and coins were missing. Her stolen bank card was also used to withdraw cash from an ATM at Hermannplatz before it could be blocked.
Police are asking anyone who recognises the suspect or knows where he is, and anyone who noticed anything in connection with the crime, to come forward. Tips can be given to the fraud unit of the State Criminal Police Office on (030) 4664-925320, at any police station or via the online police station.