In just two weeks, Warsaw police arrested 13 scammers responsible for 16 frauds, causing over 2 million zloty in losses to victims.
Common Scam Tactics
Scammers manipulate victims’ emotions and exploit their ignorance by creating stories involving loved ones, causing people to act impulsively under stress. Only after transferring money do victims realize they’ve been manipulated and lost their savings permanently.
A common tactic involves scammers posing as postal workers about urgent correspondence, followed by a call from someone claiming to be a police officer warning of fraud. They convince victims to withdraw all savings and hand them over to police. Another method is sending fake bank employee IDs via email to make stories about threatened account funds seem credible, leading victims to transfer money to “specially prepared accounts.”
Other scams include fake emergency calls about accidents or illnesses of loved ones, requiring immediate money transfers for treatment. Investment scams promise high returns on cryptocurrencies or gold through fake applications showing rising investment charts, with fake financial advisors convincing victims not to withdraw “profits” when they try.
Police Response and Warnings
Capital city police have arrested 13 scammers since the beginning of the month, with most temporarily detained for three months. Besides money, criminals stole gold jewelry, watches, and collector’s coins. In some cases, victims handed over bank cards with PIN codes to supposed police officers.
Police remind citizens that they never request money transfers. When receiving information about a loved one’s accident, people should remain calm and verify by calling the person directly. If told savings are at risk, hang up and confirm with the bank’s hotline. Never give bank cards with PIN codes to anyone.
