Wrocław archdiocese warns priests of fake emails impersonating Archbishop Józef Kupny requesting financial aid for Ukraine.
Wrocław Archdiocese Warns of Fake Emails
The Wrocław Archdiocese has warned priests working in the metropolitan curia about fake emails allegedly sent by Metropolitan Józef Kupny. The messages concern financial aid for Ukraine and encourage sending money. IT experts from the curia detected the threat.
An official communication was prepared emphasizing that “the archbishop is not the author of these messages and does not contact priests by email.” The curia appealed for vigilance against clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown sources.
Characteristics of the Fake Emails
Recipients informed IT experts that the emails were not sent from the archdiocese’s official domain. The content was informal, schematic, and appeared to be generated by artificial intelligence, raising suspicion among priests.
An IT expert explained: “Language models very well imitate natural language. These are no longer emails written in ‘broken’ language as in the past. Therefore, each of us must approach received correspondence with caution.”
Ministry of Digitalization Issues Warning
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski warned on Safe Internet Day (February 10) that cybercriminals constantly seek new ways to extort data and money, making education and prevention crucial.
“In the network, the one who wins is not the one who acts the fastest, but the one who can stop and verify information,” Gawkowski stated. He particularly warned against phishing, which involves impersonating credible institutions or individuals to extort data or money.
