Police in Warsaw, assisted by German colleagues, shut down a “call center” used to defraud German seniors and arrested three suspects on Tuesday.
International Police Cooperation
The Criminal Division of the Warsaw Metropolitan Police, working with German police and central investigative units, conducted the operation during the afternoon. The joint effort involved officers from the Criminal Branch of the Main Police Headquarters and criminal units from Trier and Berlin.
Targeted “Call Center” Operation
Investigators traced the scheme to an apartment in Warsaw‑Praga Południe that served as a “call centre.” Suspects posed as relatives, police officers or prosecutors and scammed German residents by claiming an accident had occurred, demanding a deposit to avoid prison.
Arrests in Warsaw
Two Roma men, aged 49 and 24, were detained in the apartment and denied any involvement. The third suspect, a 30‑year‑old Polish citizen, was arrested on the spot by German police when he handed over €27 000 and 22 000 Swiss francs to the victim.
Confiscated Equipment and Drugs
Police seized a phone used for the victim contact, a German phone book, laptops, mobile phones, jewelry, and luxury watches worth over 400 000 PLN. They also found marijuana and cocaine.
Legal Proceedings and Future Risks
The father and son faced charges of participating in an organized fraud group and were temporarily detained for three months by the Warsaw district court. The 30‑year‑old suspect also remains in custody; prosecutors warn that additional charges may arise for 12 similar scams that occurred in Germany.
