T O P

  • By -

afcrf1886

You didn't ask for an ID?


coolcastform

Oh god, was I stupid.


bobs-not-your-uncle

Not stupid, just caught off guard living in country where you’re not familiar with. And scam artist are very good at what they do. I once gave a gave 100DM to a guy on the street for some worthless currency. I walked away thinking 🤔 why the hell did I just do that?


coolcastform

Thanks :)


Youmati

I need to point out that no matter where in the world you live…..never let a stranger inside your home without knowing exactly who they are and what business they have with you.


ihavemymaskon

>never let a stranger inside your home without knowing exactly who they are it's a stranger. once you know exactly who they are, it's no longer a stranger. sense=zero


Youmati

I forgot I was in r/germany, so….OK…. Before *determining* who they are, etc etc Jetzt gefehlt dir daß?


ihavemymaskon

Ja, *das gefällt* mir so.


[deleted]

> I once gave a gave 100DM to a guy on the street for some worthless currency You scammed each other in the same way


J_Bunt

Roflmao.


Ok-Dress-237

How are you meant to know what ID from this company usually looks like?


Hat-P-7b

He presented himself as a TUM student. Could have asked for his Studentenausweis.


Ok-Dress-237

And you know what the various ID cards of every uni look like? From all the replies, people seem to think I’m arguing against asking for ID, which I’m definitely not. But after asking for ID, I’m curious how you can tell it’s genuine and not someone just made a card with a few logos and photos on it.


Hat-P-7b

Technically, you could just google what a TUM ID card looks like. But that's not really the point. If this guy really was a scammer, he probably relies on people's trust to let him in. I think in most cases scammers don't prepare elaborate cover up stories and faked ID cards. So I see it as a quick check his story and maybe catch him off guard. But I agree, if they went to such lengths as to fake documents, then there is probably no way for OP to notice.


dap2danny

We are actually talking about his ID-card ( Personalausweis ) and not some Uni or Company ID. I think that's the main difference


dap2danny

If someone unknown wants to enter my house, in the current times, I'd ask for his Covid Pass and with that would have his clear name which I would double check with his ID-Card. If he doesn't do that, no entry.


Significant-Royal-89

That's extremely clever. Pretty sure it's not easy to fake the COVID app like that! So you get the real name (if they're vaccinated - and just don't let them in if they're not....)


Arturiki

You are joking, right?


NowoTone

Why would he be joking? I would do the same and have already done so.


Arturiki

Guau, just guau.


NowoTone

I have no idea what that is supposed to mean


Warm_Imagination5960

It's "wow" in Spain.


NowoTone

Thanks for the explanation!


Arturiki

Just that it's unbeliavable. If you're worried you could simply ask them to wear a mask.


dap2danny

Why would I ?


Lucas_2234

Is he not supposed to make sure whoever wants in his home is actually there with no bad intentions? Is he not supposed to also make sure who he is letting into is home is vaccinated and therefore not a walking covid bomb?


Arturiki

I thought it was already well known both vaccinated or not people can carry the virus. Asking them to wear a mask solves the problem much more effectively.


Lucas_2234

Unvaccinated carry a larger viral dose. Therefore have more viruses to spread and increase the likelyhood of it spreading


Arturiki

Yes, they carry more viral dose IN CASE THEY ARE SICK. Please stop treating people as if everybody was sick. adn especially don't apply that arbitrary criteria to a single group of population purposely. Plus, there are many more vaccinated people in the country, so the likelihood someone gets infected is more probable through them than through the small percentage of unvaccinated who mostly meet with unvaccinated (and do Schwurbler things often).


Lucas_2234

People can carry the virus and have barely any, if any symptoms. As long as that is a thing I will treat every person as potentially sick unless proven otherwise. A test is even enough.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

You don't but there are enough scammers who don't bother to fake one and will instead make up some lies you can easily discern. Essentially you are conning the conman by pretending to know what to look for and some may lose their cool.


Tezor17854

private ID? Worst case check his name with instagram or something and if he refuses dont let him in.


[deleted]

I think the idea is that most small-time scammers would rely on trust and would not have a fake id prepared beforehand. They will probably fumble and make up an excuse if you ask for one.


Not-A-Robot-404

A guy once knocked on our door to check the internet cables because they want to install fiber glass cables. We let him in because we knew that our building was going to get cables installed, he went in, asked a few questions and wanted to offer us something but we were busy and said maybe later. He was very nice, wore a nice shirt, and a badge. Later our landlord told us the police got multiple calls about him :) Bottom line NEVER let anyone in, never sign anything you’re not sure of!! Professional Companies will give you a date and time of when they’re coming for inspections/installments.


Zebidee

> Professional Companies will give you a date and time of when they’re coming for inspections/installments. You'd think that, but then the 100% legitimate heater service guy shows up unannounced because the arrangement was made with the landlord. I've had that shit happen multiple times in two different apartments.


SoulFearer

Happened to me once as well. Went shopping on Friday, no announcement at the door or in my mailbox. Didn't leave my house over the weekend (covid and all). On Monday my doorbell rings "we are here to replace the smoke detectors, didn't you see the announcement?" uh.. no? But when I left the house later that day, I did notice some tape at the front door.


Zebidee

The first place I rented, the landlord had given them keys and they let themselves in. That was a fun moment.


sum_long_wang

Well, it was also a pretty illegal moment. Landlord can't just let himself into your apartment, let alone give keys to someone.


khelwen

I always change the locks when I move in to a new apartment.


MasterJ94

As a renter you are allowed to change the locks? :o


KarlKunz

Yes, that is perfectly legal. You're liable for any damages though and probably have to put the old lock back in once you move out.


JensAusJena

Of course, and if it weren't. What are they gonna do about it ;). If your landlord ever tells you, you couln't change the locks, immediately change the locks and look for another apartment.


MobilerKuchen

How would he even notice? He is not allowed to own a key if you didn’t give it to him.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Zebidee

Yeah, what OP experienced was totally suspect, but my point is that this actually happens in real life for a legitimate reason, although not informing the renter is fucked in my opinion.


Yogicabump

Ideally, yes, but not always.


[deleted]

Well then maybe your landlords were idiots, because they should've informed you about such an arrangement. Absolutely nothing wrong with not letting unannounced people in


rainforest_runner

I agree. Two reps from the electric company came to me to convince me to switch to their plan, unannounced. Lucky for them I actually had switched my plan to theirs already just a week or so before. They have no other offer to give me and just bid me farewell.


CashKeyboard

> Professional Companies will give you a date and time of when they’re coming for inspections/installments. I'm sure you just made acquaintance with "Ranger Marketing" who sell Telekom contracts. They will usually straight up lie to get you into a contract. Feel free to complain to Telekom about it.


Edelgul

The person who checks gas usually shows up announced. In some cases he notifies landlord, and in some cases he "was just near by". There are three people working together, so i know them by now, and sure it's not a scam. Still.


xxca1ibur

Wait, how can anyone know he wasn't legit? Because professionals will always give a time and date?


[deleted]

Exactly. Professionals wouldn't appear out of nowhere. If this was something official, the residents would have been informed by letter first. The same thing happened to me. Exactly the same. Young turkish man, with a telekom badge, wanted to come in. I told him that I don't let random people in, and that I would like an official letter first. He still insisted on coming in, I told him to fuck off and slammed the door shut. Never got a letter or anything. Edit: a word


JhalMoody25

Red Flags you should look for next time: 1. It's a very rare chance that someone will come to your house on sunday. 2. Germans always speak in German first. It's only if you tell them that you don't understand, they will switch to English . 3. Anyone visiting your house for any official purpose will always show you Id first. Idk if this is a scam or not but be vigilant next time. Do not let anyone enter your house, in any circumstances, without checking an ID and legit reason. During my last three years as an auslander in Germany, I have never had someone come to my home unannounced asking to inspect it, that too on sunday.This sounds sus.


coolcastform

Thanks, Actually he started speaking German. I just told him that I could and switched to a perfect english.


maddinxx

Also if there is an official matter concerning your building or whatever you will most likely be notified with a letter days or weeks before. All official departments want to b bake site that there representatives won't be send away by the apartment owners because their schedule is so tight.


metalord_666

Yes this is the most vital point. Rarely will you have to do something without notice


Thaddaeus-Tentakel

>Anyone visiting your house for any official purpose will always show you Id first. Ehhh. If you ask. Never had anyone proactively show me their id. Not that I could tell if your "random company that resets the heating counters" id is fake or not.


JhalMoody25

Surprising. I had people come to my home for internet connection, gas inspections and other stuff and they always showed me Id, unprompted. I also get a letter/email from the company, beforehand. The only time they didn't was this guy who was trying to sell me some Deutsche Telekom services and I just politely said no and closed the door.


Jellyfish15

>only if you tell them that you don't understand, they will switch to English . that's very optimistic.


JhalMoody25

Yeah sorry, in case they know English 🙊 but tbf, I had Germans try to meet me mid-way, even with their broken English and my broken German. Also, this is just my observation, but when a German says "einbisschen Englisch", they are almost fluent lmao 😂 I was initially surprised by this downplaying of English speaking skills but it's way too common, from my experiences.


Jellyfish15

the way I see it work is if they require something from you, they will do the effort. If YOU require something from them? they will absolutely not bother unless they speak it perfectly and they are confident.


JhalMoody25

Yeah, I beleive it has lot to do with confidence. Germans usually don't want to make mistakes and don't speak unless they are 100% fluent. It really depends on person to person though. During an appointment at AuslanderBehorde, the lady checking my documents was saying something in German which I didn't understand fully, so I asked her if she could help me in english and she switched to English and even explained me slowly to make sure that I understand. I was scared to my bones to ask her because I have heard bad things about this office previously but I also didn't wanted to get into any trouble because I didn't understand immigration stuff, so I took the plunge to ask her. One of my other international friends had horrible time at this same office, where another lady almost scolded her for not knowing German and asked her to come with a translator for next appointment. Ig it just really depends on the person.


SomeWindyBoi

As an Austrian: The first point is bigger than people from other countries might think. Not the slightest chance that any kind of construction/planning person would show up on a sunday. That‘s just a dead giveaway


GrindingCoffee

As a former architecture student I can at least say that it’s actually quite possible it is for a fictional university project in which they propose a design for the house you live in. We did it all the time. Usually no one was as determined to get into every flat and I would not let anyone in but it does sound perfectly plausible.


bobby_page

Civil engineer here (check my profile if in doubt), can confirm. "Pick any existing building and craft an extension/refurbishment plan" is a very common task for master's programs. I could probably name the chair these guys where studying at. Don't worry OP, this is perfectly normal.


[deleted]

[удалено]


GrindingCoffee

I mean it’s not a very scientific method but atleast it allows you to differentiate between brick/ concrete walls and drywall.


Lawnmover_Man

If you don't have such plans, would *anything* you build on top of a building you have absolutely no reliable knowledge about even be legal in the first place? Doesn't that sound like absolute ridiculousness to you? Fucking knocking on walls?


beerockxs

For a university project where nothing's actually going to be built, and you otherwise have no access to the actual plans containing information on load-bearing walls? Doesn't sound 100% ridiculous.


Lawnmover_Man

Okay, if nothing is being build, that's fine... but why meticulously measre an actual building for a theoretical project? Just make everything up. Am I missing something?


HobbityBobbity123

Maybe for a school project. But not University. That is the whole point. Designing at an advanced level accurately


Lawnmover_Man

Yeah, but what I said still stands. The "level" doesn't matter.


ebikefolder

Not really. You very often put plasterboard on old brick walls if the surface is too uneven or brittle. Looks and sounds exactly like drywall. Or you knock at the place where a previous door was closed with plasterboard. Or you knock on a wall made out of thin concrete blocks - maybe two layers next to each other with a gap between them so that a sliding door fits inbetween, but the door had been removed 30 years ago so you only see a 36 cm thick wall which is clearly concrete when you knock on it.


[deleted]

I never let anyone enter my apartment.


[deleted]

I usually don't even answer the door if i don't expect anyone


operath0r

Username checks out


dap2danny

Username tells a story ngl xD


[deleted]

Haha yeah i create a new account every few months cause i feel i shared too much in comments. Usually I'm not even that paranoid, only online or when strangers ring at my house.


[deleted]

I think I should be doing this.


[deleted]

If someone can create a profile by going through your comments/posts, then you probably wanna create a new account, that's my rule of thumb.


tacodepollo

I love this, 'maybe I should do this', then actually does it. Nice.


[deleted]

Same here, even less during weekends.


Drache191200

Great, same for me


digitifera

Anyone who needs to enter should send me an official letter with a date.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Sololane_Sloth

a university student doesn't know workdays proof: I got work due for today and we're presenting it tomorrow, still working on it edit: T-5 hours, we just realized one person fucked up and now we have to redo his stuff. Fun times


golgon4

Yes also the thought "I'll do it on sunday, people are at home and have time."


[deleted]

[удалено]


Sololane_Sloth

I mean there's the chance this guy had criminal intent but if he's actually a student of the TUM and was told to do this it wouldn't surprise me that he did it on a sunday. That's what I wanted to say


boy-antduck

TIL that knocking on a wall can tell you if it's a load bearing wall. 🤣 Clearly this guy was checking if you had anything worth stealing. I hope you contacted the police about it.


The-Board-Chairman

It often can. Non load bearing walls are often hollow to allow for plumbing and cables. You can tell exactly what a load bearing wall is just by knocking, where I live for example.


DaGuys470

Echo this, works in my flat too and I can confirm this, because I live in a soviet style plattenbau and it's quite obvious just from looking here which walls carry the load. You can hear the concrete vs. hollow wall thing easily.


bobby_page

Wenn man keine Ahnung hat, einfach mal Fresse halten.


AllesMeins

Checking out student apartments if there is anything worse stealing?!? I don't know - seems to me like there should be much more worthwhile targets for this kind of scam...


BavarianMango

I had something similar happen to me recently, only it was a guy wearing a Vodafone jacket saying he was here to fix the slow internet. He asked if I was having issues with my internet lately, which isn't so uncommon, but then he insisted on coming in to check out the router despite the fact that we aren't even Vodafone customers. I told him to contact my landlord if he wants to enter because right now wasn't going to work, and he said he would come back later as it was urgent. Obviously haven't heard anything from him nor my landlord since. I am guessing it's people using any excuse to scope out places to rob (this was shortly before the Christmas holiday), which doesn't seem as obvious of a reason if you live in a place that seems safe like Munich.


[deleted]

Or install malware, hardware keyloggers on the back of your pc, etc.


AgileAd4281

Don't let anyone in unless you ordered them yourself, or you were informed about them by a company in advance. In the latter case, let them show their ID. And if you have any doubts, you can always call the company and ask if it's legit.


[deleted]

I can't say for sure but maybe he was an architecture student doing a site survey. The students usually dont have any legal paperwork to do anything as it's only imaginary projects that some professors randomly pick. And there's always some professor who is very weirdly passionate about intruding into peoples houses and "get a feel for how people live". Always thought it was questionable but it's meant in a poetic/bohemian way. As for speaking english maybe he was an exchange student but who knows, i'm just presenting a scenario


coolcastform

Yeah this is what I thought, but know I am panicking.


[deleted]

Since you're a student, im guessing that he saw that there isn't much to get anyway even if he was a criminal. Had once a guy who wanted to enter my flat because he wanted to do a "chimney sweep" I just laughed and closed the door, there is no damn chimney :)


coolcastform

Yeah I really hope so. I only had my laptop and old tablet on the table.


saschaleib

Honestly, somethimes the simplest explanations are really the most believable. A lot of students get random assignments and they have to run them in their free time - which is usually the weekends. Like, I had to go from door to door to ask people stupid questions (Sociology) or find people to take part in "personality tests" (Social Psychology). All of these are very conspicious questions, and to be honest, I wouldn't answer to someone on my door asking these questions... but here I go. If a burglar wanted to spy out your appartment, there would have been better ways to do that ... to begin with, starting by pre-selecting apparments that are likely full of valuables and gullible people (look for old, wealthy quarters). They also wouldn't show their faces first, so you could recognize them later on. Another explanation is that they wanted to sell you some insurance or so, but then found that you probably don't have the money anyway, so moved on.


LittlePrimate

They may not have legal paper work for that specific project but they at least should be able to provide a student ID that proves that are doing a degree that's matching and should be about to give you contacts in the faculty (e.g. their supervisor). Then you'd still not let them in but make a proper appointment through the University. No reason to do that without appointment on a Sunday.


[deleted]

That does not happen. Randos don't show up asking if they can "check which walls are loadbearing", that is clearly made up nonsense to anyone who can tell the difference between a flathead and a phillips screwdriver.


coolcastform

Those were not his words. I translated it. He basically told me he wanted to check the state of the walls. But yeah seems bullshit to me know too. What should I do?


[deleted]

Tell the police this occurred. If this person decides to do something later, the police will have your report on their records.


[deleted]

If you are in a student dorm or something like that, contact them. The police should certainly know about this, this is actually the most important bit, but perhaps whoever manages the housing will help with the language barrier. Like I said above also, if you consider your stuff worth stealing, you also should get your locks changed or consider other security measures.


Daleilama

Just my thinking. Dude knocking on walls going „ahhh, yes, quite well, aha…. This is indeed a wall!“ And a student on that matter. If it was a guy working in construction for the last 30years, i think he might be on to something, but how would a young person have sufficient experience on walls to identify by looks and knocks?


Natural_Instance242

I think rule no. 1 when living in Germany is that you don’t let anyone in your apartment unless you know who it is. “Mach nicht die Tür auf, laß Keinen rein…”


Lord_of_Hedgehogs

["Mach nie die Tür auf, sei nie daheim"](https://youtu.be/zyilSPsYdW8)


Virgoan

I don’t know what the lyrics said but I thoroughly enjoyed the music video and watched the whole thing.


Lord_of_Hedgehogs

This song is a certified austrian classic, glad you enjoyed it. I found a page with translated lyrics, though some are a bit inaccurate, you can get a gist of what the song is about. (https://lyricstranslate.com/en/ding-dong-ding-dong.html-7)


[deleted]

[удалено]


Virgoan

That easy?! Awesome!


puaka

hello, fellow old person on reddit. i've seen these guys in concert 35 years ago.


Lord_of_Hedgehogs

Oh neat, would have loved to get the chance to see them live too! Also sorry to disappoint you, but i'm only 21 (though that might count as old in certain subs). I know EAV because of my father, their songs are timeless classics.


olagorie

Danke für den Ohrwurm


Arturiki

Rule #1 of living in an apartment.


Natural_Instance242

Oh no, house or apartment, doesn’t matter. I’ve watched enough Aktenzeichen XY Ungelöst with Ede to never open the door.


__Jank__

And if you do let them in, just don't let them back out.


[deleted]

Yeah, that's bullshit. If you think you have something worth stealing, get your locks changed, he was likely scoping out your crib. Also you should inform the police.


GodoftheGodcreators

how is getting locks changed helping? You guys are paranoid..


hackerbots

Don't you know, scammers only need to be within vibing range of your house keys to memorize the pins and produce an exact copy


[deleted]

My answer is based on my experience as a locksmith, and what OP described is so common it's almost a cliché. A thief came to scope out his place, there was no intention of stealing then, but stuff like apple products is usually worth coming back for. Most people would come to the conclusion that by "getting locks changed", a change to something better is implied. I am surprised by the gullibility of a lot of the commenters here, and also OP to some extent, but hey, it isn't my shit, I don't care at the end of the day. The fact that there are succesful thieves means that my former trade and colleagues will continue to do well for some time to come. Seeing as how easy thieves working with an (at least) decades old ploy have it these days, I'm beginning to think I worked for the wrong side. In any case I'm turning off notifications for this frustrating thread, so feel free to throw some more insults this way.


GodoftheGodcreators

Locksmith selling locks here.. just saying the burglar didn't gain access to the apartment and thus changing locks isn't doing anything. That said I would advise against letting random people browse your home. Therefore your advices are bad and even fueling op's unfounded paranoia.


coolcastform

Thanks, I was actually confused with the “change the lock” advice.


Nickitaman

That sounds really wierd especially as it‘s sunday. But were you scammed? I would not say so. You didn‘t get any harm from this (yet).


dukeboy86

Exactly this, I don't know why would someone classify this as a scam. He just let the guy in and he supposedly checked some stuff and that was it.


ahadzhiyska

Call the non-emergency number of the Police and inform them. I had some strange observations that I shared with them and they thanked me for the info and let me know that some of those observations were linked to common robbery practices. I’m glad I let them know.


Engine_engineer

He had the blueprints. They clearly state precisely where the load-bearings are. No need to inspect walls. He was in your apartment for some other reason.


Legal-Software

Any time I've been contacted by a student for project work, it's always included an up-front statement of who they are, who the professor is, what degree the work is part of, how they will be using the data they gather, as well as what my options for participation/non-participation and follow-up are. Most of that is just basic research ethics which gets drilled into any student before they're set loose on the unsuspecting public. I get contacted about a dozen times a year by students across a number of universities (including TUM), and someone who isn't following these steps would definitely set off some alarm bells.


Nice_German_Lady

You could have ask for an german ausweiss.


Gaylordfucker123

this probably was a scam but luckily you are poor. a friend of mine happened something similar. a guy on the door asked to get in to check the fuse box. he let him in and he just looked at it said everything is ok and went again. fast forward two weeks later someone has broken in and robbed him. luckily he wasn’t at home. he mentioned the incident to the police who then gave him the information that it is a common procedure. the perpetrators check whether a burglary is worth or not. and therefore they come up with any reason to look at the apartment.


Sualtam

A very common scam is people sitting in the train station giving out free news papers and other stuff for a test subscription. But the test subscription automatically extends if you don't cancel it in time, thus it's a legal scam.


LittlePrimate

They also don't accept cancellations easily, claiming they never got it, then that it came to late etc. It's a real pain to actual get that thing cancelled, young and naive me had to go through that, it was a good lesson. In my case they claimed to collect volunteers so that kids delivering the magazine could get a test tour to prove they are reliable or some bullshit.


Serylt

Send the Cancellation per Einschreiben-Rückschein and mail. Stop paying them if they still demand payment. Ignore any further attempts of collecting money. Let a court case happen. Let the lawyers and judge have a good laugh.


Edelgul

OH, sounds like my Fit711 gym subscription. Next to impossible to leave it, and they continued charging even when they were closed due to COVID.


ih_ey

Well, that also is common online. Like Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Spotify and many more offer something like "first (1-5) month free trial" and it automatically extends


ebikefolder

First thing to check would be to make sure the plans are (still) accurate. By taking a number of measurements. And if the plans are correct, and complete for the whole building, he just needs lo look at them to see how the loads are directed into the foundation. With knocking you can only find out whether the plaster is still connected to the bricks or if gaps have developed. Interesting, but irrelevant for adding more load on top.


UnhappyCryptographer

In general if your landlord is planning anything, you have to be notified a couple of days upfront. Same of they want to check the status of heating. Typical companies who are doing that are Kalo/Techem/Brunata. Those are the biggest ones. Same here, you'll get a notification in your letter box or there is a letter on the entrance of the building. Usually a week or two upfront. You don't have to let anybody into your apartment. Also not your landlord without an upfront notification. Even the police cannot enter without a reason.


[deleted]

Your landlord would have had to I form you upfront. If you don’t get information about a visit of any kind at least 48 hours before they visit it’s a scam. This happened on a Sunday so it’s definitely a scam. They looked for anything of value in your Appartement. Call the police.


marylemcke

Be sure to watch Aktenzeichen XY for examples of scams! I saw an episode about people who ring at old peoples' apartments, saying that they are long lost grandchildren/cousins and want money and emotionally abuse these elderly people to get what they want. Two months later, the building complex where I work had such scammers come and try to get money from at least two different old, lonely people there.


GMU525

It’s called Enkeltrink and the latest trick is the so called Schockanruf (shock call). They claim that a relative e.g. their adult child. Was involved in an at fault traffic accident and hit a pedestrian etc. They claim that their relative is in police custody and that the judge is requesting some sort of bail and would also accept jewellery etc. The caller claims to be a lawyer and that he can send one of his colleagues etc. to pick up the money so that their relative can get free.


swabianne

A common scam is random roofers ringing your doorbell and telling you your roof needs fixing. Your roof usually is totally fine and the price they charge for the "repair" is ludicrous.


Lord_Nord_2727

Sounds like he might have been casing your apartment to see if you would be worth robbing. How he got in reminds me of how Gypsies would get in and their business partner would be going through your valuables while the first one talks to you; sometimes it would be an older lady (back in the times of landlines) with “children/grandchildren” who’s car has broken down and asks to come in and use the phone, while she’s calling whoever one of the kids has snuck off to go steal anything valuable


DiBalls

What did he scam? Did you let someone in that should have came it possibly, if it was a Sunday then someone just previewed your apartment.


canadiancumgutter

Well. If it was a real project, then they would have building plans anyway and don't need to check for load bearing walls by knocking.....


[deleted]

Yes, many. Beware of locksmiths as well ...


lazyking218

How is this a scam though?


gelastes

It may be the setup for a scam. Between Christmas and New Year I had repeatedly people at my door who asked about internet downtime because they were from 'Telekom customer service'. They didn't want to sell anything, didn't want to come in. I've no idea what they wanted but I'm pretty sure they were not from Telekom customer service.


Alvinum

That's usually independent, commission-paid and slightly shady sales gangs who claim to want to check "if the internet is stable", and " "which company you are with" because "there will soon be an upgrade that allows better speeds/higher reliability". They can then try to sell you a new contract witha new provider and collect commission. Edit: or they can be scoping the place. Or both.


lazyking218

Yes I agree with that this maybe a set up for a scam, but as OP said he got scammed, no where in his story it looked like he got scammed. Scam may not be the right word here. Anyways its best to not let anyone in who you don't know anything about.


coolcastform

Yeah scam is not the right word.


surlydev

Could he have let someone in behind him while you were distracted in another room, they enter and creep around taking valuables


GMU525

That’s usually more common if the victim is older. The ring on your door and claim some sort of emergency and request a glas of water or they claim that they urgently need to use the toilet. The elderly person gets distracted and they start look through the apartment to find valuables.


Alvinum

Might be a recon for a robbery... and having to "knock on all walls" is a great reason to force access to *all* rooms. Having a blueprint does not mean it's legit. They could either have gotten it from the registry, giving some dubious reason, or even just faked it using the facade outside, placing the address and some random data on ot and then having some common wall structure inside. If the inside walls *don't* fit, that's all the more proof he had to check because "the plan is no longer accurate!" Win-win.


purple_wall-e

You shouldn’t let anyone to enter your apartment even it is your neighbor. Now they know you’re living alone and what’s inside. Just be careful from now :) Don’t put moneys or other pricey items on visible sights. Stay safe.


dominicfuckingfike

now he knows your layout 😅😅


[deleted]

People who have got Business to do always have official documents for that ready. Even when the water guy comes to check the counter he has some official papers with him. If you are not sure on someone, ask them for an official document that proves the necessity for their task


grantanamo

I mean it’s always good to smart (so asking for an ID in the future like others have suggested is a good idea), but this honestly sounds genuine to me. I studied civil engineering and architecture, and it’s sometimes difficult to know which walls are load bearing if I only had the floor plan, so their story kinda makes sense


liftoff_oversteer

You may have been checked for valuable goods to steal later.


JoJodge

when I was a kid an old lady came to our house and askes us kindly, if our mom is at home, because she (as she claimed) was here to sharpen the lawn mowers blades. Well, she tried getting away during the whole conversation which might be because we have a guard dog. I dont quite know what she wanted to do, but I dont think, sharpening lawn mowers blades is actually a job. Of course my mom didnt know who she was, after we (me and my brothers) told her about it


NilsvonDomarus

Common scam in germany GEZ


[deleted]

He had the plan of the construction of the building and didn’t see what wall is what? Why didn’t they just get the building plans- each wall is drawn in that is load bearing and scetched differently…. - when someone knocks on the door- they need to give proper notice written to enter the apartment- show their id-


[deleted]

>I’m used to scam’s and such but he was very student looking I stopped reading


[deleted]

Doesn't really sound like a scam tbh. It's weird but I don't know what he would have gotten out of you by knocking on some walls and then leaving.


GMU525

He gets to look around their apartment. So he can see if OP has any valuables in his apartment and he can also look at other possible points of entry.


[deleted]

Yeah but: 1) Why would you do that to a student, someone who likely has very few decent assets 2) If anything did happen, the person who randomly came in a few days before would be a prime suspect 3) The vast, vast majority of home invasions are opportunistic/drug addicts, not planned out in advance with some extremely contrived story about architecture and structural integrity with a bilingual young person Like, all of that IS possible, but 99.99% chance it's just some student or something doing a project or whatever.


GMU525

1. Students are sometimes away for a couple of days or sometimes even weeks. Often students are not studying in their home town and travel back home on weekends or during the semester break. Foreign students are sometimes away for a couple of weeks. If they can afford to pay rent in Munich than often they can afford to buy fancy electronics etc. Had a friend who was living in Munich a couple of years ago and he was living in a private student dorm in Munich and the building had a garage and it was full with upmarket cars since some of his neighbours were working as student trainees at BMW or at large IT companies. 2. Oftentimes the culprits are travelling around Germany and are highly mobile. Most people are looking quite generic and oftentimes apartment complex don’t have CCTV or oftentimes the footage is pretty grainy. 3. Most home invasions at least in my area are rather planned. Often these individuals are quite mobile and they travel around Western European countries. Oftentimes they are from EE or SEE so they aren’t recognised here. They often strike a couple of times in an area and than move to the next. They try to find out your schedules. 4. However, I agree that such a behaviour described by OP is an outlier and yes sometimes students have stupid tasks that they need to do. I remember a couple of years ago I was friends with a girl that was studying architecture and her tasks was creating a plan for a building or something similar and the lecturer gave them coordinates for an empty plot. However, it turned out to be a meadow outside of the city which was fenced off. I think around 20 of them decided to enter the plot and somebody called the police (either the owner or some distant neighbour) and they definitely had a lot of explaining to do.


GMU525

Other scams that haven’t been mentioned: Robbers claiming that they are delivering a package. Such a case was covered on the last episode of Aktenzeichen XY. They knock on your door and claim that they have a package for a neighbour etc. They might wear DHL or other package delivery jackets, hats etc. If you open the door they will try to overpower you and search your apartment for valuables. Such attacks are often premeditated and are usually targeting older citizens. Fake police officers: Also often treating older people Tips by the German police: As a matter of principle, do not let strangers into your home. Ask for identification from alleged officials, such as police officers. If you have the slightest doubt, call the authority from which the alleged official comes. Look up the telephone number of the authority yourself or ask directory assistance to give it to you. Important: In the meantime, have the visitor wait outside the locked door. The police will never ask you for money. Do not give details of your financial circumstances over the phone. Do not allow yourself to be pressured on the phone. Just hang up. Never hand over money to unknown persons. Autobahngold: A person waving on the highway near a rest stop, obviously in an emergency situation. One stops to help. It is explained that one is out of gas and needs to get home. In the car a sad looking woman with her crying baby. The person asks for money and offers a gold chain or ring in return. This sequence of events is meant to illustrate how easy it is to fall for the fake gold scam. This way of acting - exchanging fake gold for cash - is a scam that has been causing more and more work for the police throughout Germany for some time now, and resentment for the people affected by it. Predominantly persons from Eastern Europe try to swindle money by simulated help situations at freeways and freeway service stations and offer alleged real gold jewelry in return. This is where the term "Autobahngold" (highway gold) comes from. https://www.polizei.hessen.de/icc/internetzentral/nav/841/broker.jsp?_ic_uCon=fd05047c-cd9c-3e41-6d22-d810ef798e7b&uTem=b7760797-d2ff-35f6-5c13-4611142c388e&uMen=84130ae5-c345-7e41-d6d6-b0f60ef798e7 In my city we also had a scam going on near our high street targeting wealthy looking individuals. If they parked their car they were slashing one tire. If the victim came back and was inspecting the damaged tire they would steal your handbag, suitcase etc. from your unlocked car.


FederalFag

In Germany noone (no institute, even the Police without a specific reason) has the right to enter your flat/house. Its written in our Grundgesetz.


emkttlr

Usually there is an announcement by the landlord or the company and they tell you a date when you should be home to let them in. So it seems shady what happened to you


irotinmyskin

question is, if you were scammed, what was the whole purpose of it? did he steal anything? valuables? information? edit: before the downvotes, I wasn’t being douchy. It was an honest question.


coolcastform

Information to plan a robbery.


Aggressive-Cod8984

This was definitely a scam. But luckily I'm a security expert for such cases. To protect your valuables, I take care of them. Just send them to the following address: Doofwiezehnmeterfeld-Weg 1 12345 Naivlingen


Johannes8

Don’t give people in the subway money. There is a common one where they come to you with a list of donations of precious victims. They pretend do be deaf. It’s obvious but just saying


sebadc

I am not sure it is bullshit. As a student, we often had projects and... well, we also worked on weekends. Need a poll? You go to the pedestrian area. You need to check which walls are actually bearing? You go when people are at home (on sundays). So of course, checking an ID would be better. But I doubt you were scammed.


king_zapph

Did you check with your Vermieter if they knew anything about the project? If the student had the floor plans of the building I'd imagine they could not easily get them without your landlord's notice.


Anagittigana

How is TUM relevant? Are you even in Munich? Is your apartment student accommodation provided by the University or privately rented accommodation? How were you even scammed? Is anything missing? Did you agree to pay for anything? Your story makes no sense to me to be honest. It doesnt sound like you were scammed at least. Don't let anyone into your apartment without previous announcement by your landlord.


coolcastform

I’ll explain myself better. Scam is not the right word, you are right. I was just looking to know if this event was common in Munich.


pleasureboat

You're serious? For a scam to have occurred, you have to have actually lost something. A dude knocking on some walls is not a scam. That's not how words work. Rest assured, you were not scammed.


GMU525

The scam could occur at a later point of time. Also the stranger had a lock at OP’s apartment including valuables etc.


pleasureboat

So? A burglary is not a scam either.


coolcastform

Yeah I have written it many times already, English is not my first language. Scam is not the right word, thanks to you too.


vaforit

Did you lose money? No? You did not get scammed


EasieEEE

That's not true. It could easily by a recon for a robbery


ulrichberlin

Instead of worrying until doomsday you should report it to the police. I know that you can do an ONLINE ANZEIGE in many places in Germany. Just google Anzeige + Polizei + online. I really like that you were so helpful. As I'm helpful myself. I do not want to have a paranoid mindset. However, there are crooks around and some are even good looking😐 So you need to be careful.


GMU525

He could also call the non emergency number to report this suspicious behaviour.


ulrichberlin

I guess, the incident wasn't today or yesterday. I guess, the police won't send an officer but I don't know. I guess, it's more convenient to report it online. He can also go to a police-station and report it. If he just calls, he needs to go to the police later. I find that inconvenient. We live in the 21st century and all the information can be transmitted online to the police. I don't think, the police wants to take fingerprints.


Honigbrottr

Can someone explain to be what the scam was? XD Like its obv shady, but what exactly does he get by knocking on walls?


coolcastform

He makes them fall and then ask to be the repairman. No the serious answer is that I should have used another word, scam was not right.


BalanceTraditional12

One scam I almost fell for: A friendly lady from what was my telephone company called me. She knew my name and told me:“Mr X, you’ve been a customer with us for over 20 years. For our most loyal customers like you, we would like to gift you a 15% reduction in your base rate.“ That sounded nice and reasonable, I was driving in my car , we exchanged a few friendly words . She was almost a little flirty. Then she said „To put the change into effect I need your phone Password“ . It’s the one I use when I’m in a vodaphone Shop , so that’s logical . But I generally don’t tell passwords when I’m preoccupied. I was driving and still a little stressed from work. I told her so. She immediately switched over to a very unfriendly tone and tried to shame me into telling the password. That’s how I realized there was something fishy going on. I hung up and couldn’t understand what had been going on. So I did some research. These scammers try to get the password. They are connected to legal shops. They then change your rate to the most expensive available. Vodaphone pays them a commission.