Polish police arrested four Ukrainian fraudsters on the spot in Warsaw for a nearly 130,000‑zloty bank‑employee scam, facing up to eight years in prison.
Arrest details
Police from the Central Command’s Economic Crime Unit detained four Ukrainian suspects in Warsaw, seizing almost 130,000 zlotys that had been transferred under a bank‑employee impersonation scheme. The arrest occurred during a planned operation and included a 19‑year‑old Ukrainian woman who was stopped immediately as she attempted to withdraw the funds. The other three men were apprehended outside the bank and taken into custody by additional officers.
Scam method
The criminals posed as bank employees, using forged documents such as a fake employee ID, a security protocol sheet, and a police investigation notice to convince victims of a loan application. Victims were told to transfer money into a “technical account” to secure the loan, and then the fraudsters withdrew the funds.
They played on victims’ emotions and fabricated timelines, making the transactions appear urgent. Their goal was to lure individuals into transferring large sums under false pretence.
Victims
Two Polish women in different regions were targeted. One sent 100,000 zlotys and the other 27,000 zlotys to the fraudsters. Both were persuaded by the alleged third party, who used their personal data to submit the loan request.
Legal consequences
All four are charged with fraud and inducing others to mismanage their property through deception. They face up to eight years of imprisonment. On the prosecutor’s request, a judge has temporarily detained two of the suspects.
How to Protect Yourself
If you receive a call from someone pretending to be a bank or loan company asking for sensitive information, end the call and contact your bank’s security department. During the conversation, do not disclose personal data, bank details, or email addresses.
Do not make impulsive financial decisions or comply with urgent requests, as fraudsters exploit emotion and create a sense of time pressure. Avoid transferring money via BLIK or to unfamiliar bank accounts, and be wary of callers with foreign accents.
When anything feels suspicious, disconnect the call immediately and dial 112 for assistance.