October 16, 5:05 p.m., Fraud, Västra Götaland County

As an example, we are investigating several attempted frauds in a geographically limited area in Kungsbacka, and in Lysekil a victim has had jewellery and contacts of high value stolen. 

However, the frauds are taking place throughout the region. 

It often starts with a text message that appears to come from a construction company, an alarm company or similar. The message may say that a door or alarm needs to be replaced. You might be told that you do not need to be home because the company already has the keys. 

Of course, you want to know why someone claims to have keys to your home, and you also do not want work to be carried out that you have not ordered.

When you reply to the text message or call the number, you get in touch with someone claiming to represent the company. The person says that something has gone wrong and that the police will be brought in to sort out the situation.

You are then contacted by someone claiming to be a police officer. You are told that there is a risk of a crime and that the police can help secure your valuables until the danger has passed.

A little while later, someone shows up to collect the valuables.

But the person is not a police officer. They are a fraudster.

**How to avoid being scammed
**- Stop and think before you act. Hang up, end the contact.
- Verify the information by finding the company’s or police’s official contact details yourself. Do not use the number in the message.
- If someone claims to be a police officer and wants to collect your valuables: Do not hand anything over.
- Report the crime to the police.

Please help spread the word. By recognising this scam, more people can avoid being tricked. Talk about it with someone close to you – sometimes that knowledge can make all the difference.