Bern Police Warn of Fake Handyman Scams & Theft

The Bern cantonal police are warning residents of a recent surge in fraudulent activity involving individuals posing as tradespeople. Since January 26th, police have received multiple reports across the Mittelland-Emmental-Oberaargau and Bern regions, resulting in the theft of valuables in at least four instances.

The modus operandi consistently involves a perpetrator approaching a residence and falsely claiming to represent a management company, a trade business, or a utility provider. Under the guise of needing to conduct a check within the property, the individual is granted access to specific rooms. While the homeowner is distracted by conversation, an accomplice gains entry to the property via an unlocked door and steals valuables, often going unnoticed until later.

This latest scam builds on a pattern of fraudulent activity targeting residents of the Canton of Bern. Earlier reports, dating back to September 30, 2024, detailed a similar scheme involving fake police officers, with one incident resulting in a loss of over 18,000 Swiss francs. In that case, an elderly woman was contacted by phone by individuals impersonating police, bank employees, and electronics store staff, claiming a fraudulent transaction had occurred. They instructed her to withdraw a large sum of money, which a supposed courier was then to collect for “police investigations.” While one individual posing as a courier was apprehended by police in mid-September 2024, the earlier fraud resulted in a significant financial loss for the victim.

The Bern police have also been addressing a broader trend of fraudulent phone calls, including those utilizing automated “tape” calls. These calls, often originating from Swiss numbers, employ a computerised voice claiming to be from law enforcement agencies like Interpol or Europol. The callers allege that the recipient’s bank account details have been linked to criminal activity or that fraudulent activity has been detected with their Swiss ID or credit card, creating a sense of urgency and demanding immediate action. Victims are often prompted to press “1” to speak with a fraudster posing as an Interpol or Europol employee.

A separate, more recent scam, reported in May 2025, involved fake Bern police officers making calls using the official telephone number of the Bern cantonal police. This brazen tactic highlights the increasing sophistication of these criminal operations and the difficulty in distinguishing legitimate calls from fraudulent ones.

The police are urging residents to exercise extreme caution and adopt preventative measures. Key recommendations include refusing entry to unsolicited visitors, utilizing intercom systems or communicating through windows, carefully examining any presented identification, and verifying the legitimacy of the visit by contacting the relevant authority – such as the property management or the purported utility company – before granting access. Residents are advised to keep doors locked during such verification processes.

The Canton of Bern police emphasize the importance of trusting one’s instincts. If a situation feels suspicious, residents should postpone the appointment, involve a trusted friend or family member, and report any suspicious activity to the police via emergency numbers 112 or 117. Neighborhood watch programs and open communication with neighbors, particularly elderly residents, are also encouraged to enhance community safety and awareness.

These scams exploit trust and create a sense of panic, leading victims to bypass standard security protocols. The police warning underscores the need for vigilance and a healthy skepticism towards unsolicited requests for access to one’s home or personal information. The repeated targeting of the Canton of Bern suggests a focused effort by criminal groups, necessitating a proactive and community-based approach to prevention.

The financial implications of these scams extend beyond the immediate losses experienced by victims. They erode public trust in legitimate authorities and create a climate of fear, particularly among vulnerable populations. The police are continuing their investigations and urging anyone with information about these incidents to come forward.