79-Year-Old Outsmarts Phone Scammer in Pullach

A 79-year-old man from Pullach near Munich outsmarted a phone scammer on July 29, 2026, who attempted to defraud him of 80,000 euros. Bruno Schmaus was contacted by a caller posing as his son, claiming to be in an emergency situation. The scammers used an Italian phone number and stated that a prosecutor was demanding a large bail for the release of his "son." The caller employed a technique known as deepfake to alter his voice.

However, Schmaus realized it was a scam. He pretended to believe the caller and promised to pay the money, but only in the form of gold bars, as he had no cash available. To buy time, Schmaus kept the scammers engaged in conversation for an hour and a half. During this time, he informed his real son about the incident, who then alerted the police. Schmaus acted strategically and prepared for the money handover to outsmart the scammers.

At the planned handover, Schmaus brought a bag filled not with money, but with pens and other office supplies. When the scammer accepted the bag, the police were already nearby and immediately arrested the 21-year-old suspect from Poland. Bruno Schmaus has previously assisted the police in exposing phone scammers three times. His experience as an actor, despite originally working as a surveying engineer, helped him to outsmart the fraudsters. Schmaus emphasizes the importance of remaining skeptical during such calls and not yielding to the demands of scammers.

The police continue to warn about the rise in phone fraud, particularly through the so-called grandchild trick, which specifically targets elderly individuals. The Federal Network Agency has already blocked thousands of phone numbers associated with such scams. Experts advise contacting the police immediately in case of suspicious calls and not disclosing personal information. The deepfake technology is increasingly being used by scammers, raising the risk for potential victims. Schmaus' story demonstrates that it is possible to defend against such fraudulent attempts by staying alert and taking the right steps.

The police encourage all citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious calls. The arrest of the scammer took place on July 29, 2026, after Schmaus handed over the bag. The police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend any additional accomplices.