Warsaw police detained a 19-year-old Uzbek citizen suspected of involvement in scams targeting victims with fraudulent calls in February and March 2026.
Fraud Scheme Involves Bank and Police Impersonation
Mokotów district police arrested a 19-year-old citizen of Uzbekistan on suspicion of participating in fraud schemes using the “bank employee” and “police officer” methods. The suspect has been temporarily arrested for 3 months by court order.
Investigators determined the suspect acted in concert with others, contacting victims by phone while posing as bank employees and police officers. They misled victims about alleged threats to their finances and urged them to take actions to “secure” their money.
Financial Losses Exceed 74,000 zł
In one case from late February 2026, a victim was persuaded to install software allowing remote access to their device and hand over their bank card. The perpetrators then withdrew a total of 40,000 zł from ATMs in Warsaw and surrounding areas.
Another incident in March 2026 involved fraudsters, again posing as a police officer, convincing a victim to surrender their payment card, resulting in over 34,000 zł being withdrawn from their account.
Suspect’s Role as ‘Receiver’ and Possession of Unauthorized Card
In both cases, the arrested individual acted as the so-called “receiver,” collecting bank cards from victims and subsequently making cash withdrawals. Investigators also discovered the suspect possessed a bank card belonging to another person, which he concealed without authorization.
Charges Filed and Pre-Trial Detention Ordered
The suspect faces charges of fraud and using another person’s payment instrument. Following a prosecutor’s request, the Warsaw-Mokotów District Court ordered his temporary arrest for a period of 3 months.
Police Issue Fraud Warning
Police and bank employees will never ask for payment card details, PIN codes, or the installation of additional software. Individuals should immediately end suspicious calls and contact their bank or the police directly.
The investigation was conducted by the Mokotów District Criminal Investigation Department, covering Mokotów, Ursynów, and Wilanów.