Hradec Králové fraud sees 46 million CZK siphoned by impersonators

A municipal employee of Správa nemovitostí Hradec Králové transferred roughly 46 million CZK to fraudsters who pretended to be police officers and staff of the Czech National Bank. The scheme bypassed the organization’s multi‑person controls, prompting the employee to resign and the mayor to accept her resignation.

Czech police described the loss as a record for the “legenda o napadnutom účte” vishing type of fraud and announced that perpetrators face up to ten years in prison. An internal audit has been launched and the city is assessing whether insurance will cover part of the loss. Police warned that such social‑engineering attacks are becoming more frequent and urged the public to remain vigilant.

Jaroslava Bernhardová, director of the municipal property office, said the attackers “vydávali se za policisty a pracovníky České národní banky.” The incident has become a central issue in the upcoming municipal elections.