In Geretsried, a 71-year-old man has reported a case of fraud where he was tricked into purchasing worthless watches for a total of 1,190 euros. According to local police, the incident occurred last Thursday when the elderly man was approached by a suspect in a car with Italian plates, who claimed to have just returned from a watch fair in Munich and needed to refuel. The suspect, stating he had card issues, presented the victim with the opportunity to buy high-quality watches at a discounted price, showcasing a suspicious website that valued the watches at approximately 500 euros each.

Initially, the elderly victim handed over 70 euros he had on hand and later returned home to bring an additional 160 euros, along with withdrawing cash from the bank to complete the purchase. He ultimately ended up acquiring nine watches that turned out to be of very low quality, amounting to a significant loss of money. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of scams targeting older individuals, who may not be as adept at recognizing fraudulent schemes.

Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The local police are investigating the matter further, particularly looking into the identity of the scammer and any previous occurrences of similar fraud. This case serves as a reminder for citizens to be cautious when making purchases from unknown individuals, especially in unusual circumstances where urgency is presented, as it can often be a tactic used by con artists to facilitate their scams.