French-speaking Switzerland
Fake police officers and bankers, around 7 million francs taken in the canton of Vaud
In a press release of 15 October 2026, the Vaud authorities report almost 2,300 cases, 900 of them successful, with losses of around 7 million francs since 1 January 2026. More than a hundred people have been arrested and 19 remanded in custody. The authorities describe a structured organisation that shares out tasks over encrypted messaging, from calling victims to collecting cash or valuables and laundering the proceeds. Most victims are older people.
Fribourg cantonal police, for their part, count almost 750 reported cases since the start of the year, about 130 of them successful, for some 800,000 francs in cash (press release of 13 October 2026). First contact no longer comes by phone alone. In the week before the release, four people received a fake debit message asking them to call a number back, then dealt with a fake adviser, with losses of over 90,000 francs. The fraudsters also ask victims to cut up their bank cards while keeping the chip, before a courier arrives.
In practiceA bank or the police will never ask for a code, cash, a card or jewellery. Do not call the number given in a suspicious debit message, call your bank on its official number instead. If in doubt, dial 117.
According to Canton of Vaud, press release, 15 October 2026 and Fribourg cantonal police, press release, 13 October 2026.