Czech seniors lose over 9 million CZK to online investment fraud

Police in the Czech Republic have uncovered two large‑scale investment scams that targeted senior citizens. In Rychnov, a retired couple were deceived by a series of fake online ads promising high returns from oil and cryptocurrency trading. Over three weeks they transferred about five million CZK in cash to unknown couriers and opened cryptocurrency wallets, losing a total of roughly eight million CZK. Investigators have opened criminal proceedings for fraud and illegal computer access.

In a separate case, a senior woman from Tábor responded to a Facebook advertisement for quick investment gains. After paying a registration fee and subsequent deposits, she was contacted through WhatsApp by a purported broker, eventually handing over more than one million CZK in cash to a courier. The communication stopped, prompting her to report the fraud. Police have warned the public against similar schemes, urging caution with unsolicited investment offers, especially those requiring cash transfers or access to personal computers.