Weimarer Land, September 28, 2026 – The Jena State Police Inspectorate is currently warning of fraudulent door-to-door business practices by bogus tradesmen. Over the past weekend, several incidents occurred in the Weimarer Land region in which fraudsters performed unsolicited work on properties and subsequently demanded exorbitant sums of money.
- Event: Fraud scheme involving bogus tradesmen
- Timeframe: Weekend, September 25 to September 27, 2026
- Locations: Ramsla and Bad Berka (Weimarer Land)
- Contact Weimar Police: 03643 8820 or via email at pi.weimar@polizei.thueringen.de
In Ramsla, three Eastern European individuals unsolicitedly replaced an allegedly damaged gutter on a house on September 25. Following verbal pressure during the work, the perpetrators demanded 940 euros from the 48-year-old homeowner. Furthermore, property damage of approximately 500 euros was caused to the gutter due to improper installation. A similar case occurred on September 26 in Bad Berka, where an alleged company performed unsolicited weeding work for an 86-year-old and demanded 2,000 euros. The perpetrators only left without payment once the senior’s son arrived and recognized the scam.
Police conduct guidelines
The police strongly advise caution and provide clear recommendations for action to protect against fraudulent service providers at the doorstep:
- Stay suspicious: Be skeptical of services offered spontaneously at your front door.
- No orders without prior agreement: A reputable professional will never appear without a prior, usually written, order.
- Never pay: Never settle invoices for unwanted or forced work.
- Notify the police: In case of suspicion, call the emergency number 110 immediately or contact your local police station.
Background: Protection against door-to-door fraud
In so-called door-to-door scams, fraudsters specifically exploit the element of surprise and the tendency to overwhelm residents – particularly the elderly. Often, an acute defect is feigned to pressure victims into impulsive actions. The police advise against letting strangers into the house, signing contracts at the door, and, in case of doubt, informing the police immediately.
Source:
Polizei Jena: Vorsicht vor falschen Handwerkern
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.