In a fraudulent phone scam on December 13, an 82‑year‑old Krowodrza resident and her 83‑year‑old husband gave away about one million zlotys after a caller posing as a police officer instructed them to leave the funds in front of their door.
Fraud Call Claims Police Officer
On December 13, a man claiming to work for a bank called an 82‑year‑old Krowodrza occupant and her 83‑year‑old husband, saying a courier would deliver a package for their son. When the call ended, they received another phone from someone presenting himself as an officer of the Kraków Regional Police Command. He claimed investigators were dismantling a gang of fraudsters and asked the couple to leave all of their money in front of their door, assuring it would be secured. The fake officer gave a fabricated badge number and instructed them not to interrupt the call and to dial 997. A second voice reportedly convinced the seniors they were part of an operation to thwart the swindlers. The perpetrators applied time pressure, preventing the couple from verifying any details. After handing over the money from the stairwell, the call ended, and the seniors lost roughly one million zlotys.
Seniorka Outsmarts Fraudsters
Earlier this month in Lower Silesia, fraudsters tried a “police‑man” method to defraud a 65‑year‑old woman of 29 000 zlotys. They claimed her funds were at risk and that they would safeguard them. The woman realized she might be robbed, yet she continued the conversation and simultaneously alerted the real police. Following instructions, she posted a cardboard sign on a fence, ostensibly containing cash; ultimately the box held only an apple. When the fraudster arrived for the package, he was seized by police. The 40‑year‑old suspect was arrested and charged with attempted fraud.
Police Warn Against Phone Scams
The police emphasize that officers never conduct investigations over the phone or ask for money transfers. They advise that if someone pretends to be a police officer by phone, the conversation should be ended immediately and the call verified. If unsure how to respond, individuals should contact a trusted person. As stated by Assistant Chief Katarzyna Boroń, “If someone attempts to impersonate a policeman on the telephone, cut the call and confirm it was interrupted. If we do not know how to react, inform a relative on the line.”