A 94-year-old woman in Besançon was scammed by an imposter posing as a city worker, leading to the theft of her jewelry.
Elderly woman targeted by impostor
On October 8, 2026, around 5 p.m., a 94-year-old woman in the Chaprais neighborhood of Besançon was approached by a man claiming to be a city worker. The man allegedly said there was an issue with the water supply network due to a neighbor’s poisoning. Impostor used false credentials
The man wore a yellow vest and spoke with an accent from Eastern countries, according to police. He convinced the elderly woman to accompany him to the bathroom, where he turned on the faucets repeatedly, keeping her occupied for about half an hour. Home was robbed during the distraction
During this time, the front door remained unlocked. After the man left, the woman discovered that her living room had been searched and that some of her jewelry was missing. The police are treating the incident as a theft involving false pretenses. Authorities warn of scams targeting the vulnerable
The interdepartmental police headquarters of the Doubs is urging caution, especially around elderly or isolated individuals. They emphasize that such scams often rely on impersonating public service workers to gain trust and access to homes. Precautions advised for all residents
The police recommend not opening doors to strangers and using a peephole to identify visitors. They also advise verifying the identity of anyone claiming to perform technical work, as official services typically schedule appointments in advance and send letters. Verify official contact details
Residents are encouraged to contact city or company services using only verified official numbers, rather than those provided by the visitor. This helps prevent scams where impostors use fake credentials to gain access to homes.
