A 75-year-old resident of Legnica County reported to the Municipal Police Headquarters in Legnica. During just two months of contact with an unknown man, she learned the bitter side of online relationships—she lost a total of PLN 50,000. Police:
The woman met the man through a social networking site. He claimed to be an American of Polish origin, a widower working on an oil rig in Turkey. In a short time, he gained her trust by sharing moving stories and building an emotional bond.
The idyll did not last long, however. The “American” began asking for financial help: first to buy parts for an allegedly damaged device, and then for food for the workers. Officers: – He made up a story that he was unable to log in to his bank account from the oil rig in order to make those payments. Believing the stories of her newly met “acquaintance,” the woman made successive bank transfers.
Only after handing over all her savings did the senior citizen begin to suspect that she had fallen victim to fraud. She ultimately reported the matter to the police.
How do scammers operate?
- They claim to be people living or working abroad.
- They claim to hold high-ranking positions but say that, due to an emergency, they cannot withdraw their money.
- They ask for financial help “just for a moment,” promising a quick repayment.
- They send photos and documents found online to make their story seem credible.
- They try to create feelings of guilt, time pressure or pity.
How can you avoid falling victim to a scammer?
- Never send money to people you meet online, even if you have been talking for months.
- Do not share logins, passwords, card numbers or other access credentials.
- Check photos—they are often stolen from other websites and easy to find through image searches.
- Consult your family or friends before making any financial decisions.
- If you suspect a crime has been committed, report it to the police.