Bolesławiec District Police Headquarters on the incident:

A man called the victim, claiming to be her grandson, and informed her that he had caused a fatal traffic accident and urgently needed financial assistance to avoid liability.

The senior woman then heard another man on the phone, who introduced himself as a police officer and gave her instructions on how to pack the money and whom to hand it over to.

The result? The woman from Bolesławiec lost PLN 11,000.

How can you avoid falling victim to criminals?

  • Always verify whom you are speaking to. If the person on the other end of the line claims to be a member of your family and asks you to hand over a large amount of cash, check this by calling other relatives. If the person on the other end claims to be a police officer, HANG UP and call the nearest police station or the emergency number 112. Verify what you heard earlier.
  • Remember that the police never ask anyone to hand over money for any police operation or in connection with a threat to our bank account. They also never provide information about police operations. They never act as intermediaries in handing over money or ask for banking details.
  • Never throw money out of the window to any “courier” or hand it over to an unknown person. Do not leave cash in so-called agreed locations either.
  • Pay attention to whom you let into your home. Think twice before allowing a stranger to enter your house. You can verify their identity by calling the office they supposedly came from.
  • Report every suspicious situation to the police. The sooner we do so, the greater the chances of identifying and arresting the perpetrators and thereby preventing further fraud.
  • In cases of cryptocurrency-related fraud, read the information from the KNF and NBP concerning investment in cryptocurrencies.
  • Check the credibility of the entity offering assistance with investing money.
  • Do not share your electronic or mobile banking login details with anyone.
  • Do not share confidential information concerning your payment cards with anyone.
  • Do not send anyone scans of your identity card.
  • Do not install software that enables strangers to operate your computer remotely.
  • If you receive a transfer from an unknown sender, under no circumstances forward the funds, even if your “advisor” asks you to—without realizing it, you may be participating in a crime.
  • Check whether the entity offering investment assistance—the “broker”—is on the KNF warning list.