Two men have been arrested in Strasbourg, France, after allegedly tricking elderly people into paying thousands of euros for bed bug treatments they did not need. They charged victims amounts between 300 and 2,100 euros.
According to police, the men went to people’s homes where they conducted false checks and charged extra for treatment products. 48 people were scammed, including many women over 90 years old.
Authorities said these men called the victims to tell them there was a bed bug outbreak in their neighborhood and then visited their homes, posing as health officials.
In some cases, they used spray cans to pretend they were fumigating the area. Before they left, they offered an ointment that was supposed to keep bed bugs away from human skin. The ointment was just a simple eucalyptus scented cream.
The police received nine formal complaints for suspected fraud. These men were placed under surveillance after being arrested red-handed as they left the home of an alleged victim in Strasbourg.
France has been hit by an increase in bedbug infestations in recent months, with authorities looking for solutions to solve the problem.
Source: DN
