Police Arrest Man After Attempted Phone Scam in Gossau

A 37-year-old man was arrested in Gossau, Switzerland, following an attempted phone scam targeting an 85-year-old local resident. As of October 29, 2026, the Kantonspolizei St. Gallen is investigating the incident after the victim successfully alerted authorities to the suspicious activity.

Why it is trending now

The incident is trending following an official report from the Kantonspolizei St. Gallen regarding the arrest. The scam involved an individual posing as a bank employee who contacted an 85-year-old woman, instructing her to withdraw cash and leave it at a designated location. The woman became suspicious and contacted a neighbor, who assisted her in notifying the police.

Key facts

• The victim received a call from an unknown person claiming to be a bank employee, according to the Kantonspolizei St. Gallen.
• Police set up an operation at the planned meeting point in the Neuchlenstrasse area of Gossau on Wednesday.
• The suspect attempted to flee upon seeing police patrols but was apprehended shortly afterward on St. Gallerstrasse, as reported by Blick.
• The arrested individual is a 37-year-old Ukrainian national suspected of acting as a money collector for the fraud attempt.

Why this is trending in Switzerland

This case is receiving local attention as it highlights the ongoing risk of "fake official" scams within the canton of St. Gallen. The Kantonspolizei St. Gallen has used this incident to reiterate public warnings to residents.

Background and context

Phone fraud remains a recurring concern for Swiss law enforcement. Authorities typically advise that bank employees or officials will not call to demand cash withdrawals or ask residents to deposit money at specific locations. Police urge anyone receiving such calls to hang up immediately and contact the emergency number 117.

What happens next

The Kantonspolizei St. Gallen is currently conducting an investigation into the suspect's involvement and potential connections to a larger network. Further procedural steps will follow as investigators work to verify the extent of the attempted fraud.