Warsaw police arrested three teenagers suspected of a scam where they impersonated officers to steal money from an elderly victim.
Arrest and Investigation
Police officers from Warsaw’s Bemowo district and the Criminal Department of the Capital City Police Headquarters conducted decisive operations that led to the detention of three individuals suspected of impersonating police officers. Shortly after the incident, police located them in an apartment and recovered some of the stolen money.
The Warsaw-Wola District Prosecutor’s Office requested the court to apply preventive measures. The court remanded the two 17-year-olds in custody for three months, while the family court placed the 15-year-old in a juvenile shelter for three months.
The Scam Operation
The scam began when an 89-year-old man received a phone call from a man claiming to be a police officer. The caller informed him that a police operation was underway and that the money in his bank was at risk. He claimed that bank employees were colluding with criminals and should not be informed.
Believing he was speaking with an officer, the victim followed the scammer’s instructions. He first withdrew 25,000 Polish złoty from one bank and handed the money to a man on the signal “courier.” He then proceeded to another bank to withdraw more money as instructed.
Recovery and Additional Charges
Through operational activities, police identified the perpetrators and located them in an apartment in Śródmieście, where they arrested the 15 and 17-year-olds. Police also recovered some of the stolen money. The victim had meanwhile realized he had fallen prey to scammers.
During a search, police secured significant amounts of drugs (over 200 grams of marijuana and mefedron combined). They established that the 17-year-old had previously been sought for placement in educational centers. Through further operational activities, police identified the third person involved in the fraud, who was apprehended on the territory of Warsaw’s Targówek district. This 17-year-old was also being sought for placement in an educational center.
Legal Consequences
The three suspects were brought to the Bemowo police station where police gathered evidence. The suspects were charged with attempted fraud and fraud, acting jointly and in concert. The minor will additionally face charges for possession of a significant quantity of narcotics.
Under applicable laws, fraud is punishable by up to 8 years in prison. The investigation is being supervised by the Warsaw-Wola District Prosecutor’s Office.
Public Warning
Police from Wola and Bemowa continue to warn about scams involving impersonation of police officers. They emphasize that police never inform about ongoing operations by telephone and never request money to be handed over to unknown persons or transferred to other accounts.
