On 18 May, the Jelenia Góra District Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into the extortion of advance payments from numerous people for the purchase of cars as well as agricultural and construction machinery offered in Bar-Go company advertisements on an automotive website
Almost two weeks later, the case was combined with fraud committed to the detriment of citizens of the Netherlands and Romania, who paid for construction machinery and a coach offered on a German automotive website.
On 30–31 May, 10 people were detained and brought before the prosecutor’s office, and a number of searches were conducted. The man leading the group, a resident of Lubań County, was also detained. He was charged with 18 offenses, including leading an organized criminal group. In the case of just one of the crimes, the value of the damage caused amounts to PLN 349,530.60.
The remaining individuals, residents of Jelenia Góra and the surrounding area, were charged with participating in an organized criminal group and committing fraud. Some of the suspects were placed under property bail, police supervision and a ban on leaving the country. The court temporarily detained the gang leader for three months. The suspect faces up to 10 years in prison.