Unemployed people unknowingly carry out courier trips for fraudsters

Time and again, telephone fraudsters have hired jobseekers to collect their loot - usually money or valuables - from potential victims.

This has been reported by the Zug police in a recent press release. The fraudsters lure jobseekers with false job offers, usually via WhatsApp, Facebook or Telegram. They thereby offer them the prospect of generous remuneration if they take on courier journeys in their private vehicle.

If the jobseekers accept the offer, the scammers require them to send them copies of their IDs. Without having the background explained to them, they are then sent to collect the loot from a victim's home, to transport envelopes and parcels or to accompany the victims to an ATM to "assist" them in withdrawing or depositing money. They often do not realise that they are taking part in a fraud or robbery.

The Zug police warn that anyone who carries out such courier trips may be liable to prosecution. The police have the following tips:

• Do not accept any dubious job offers that promise lucrative earnings for minimal effort.
• Never carry out courier journeys for someone you do not know.
• Never transport envelopes or parcels whose contents you do not know.
• If you are unsure: inform the police and call 117.