Konin Police warn of rising phone scams in Wielkopolska

Police in Konin and the surrounding county are warning residents of a surge in fraudulent phone calls. Scammers are utilizing two primary methods: the ‘grandchild’ scam and the ‘road accident’ scam.

In these schemes, perpetrators call victims pretending to be relatives or officials. They present dramatic stories involving accidents, arrests, or urgent legal needs to create fear and time pressure. The goal is to manipulate victims into quickly transferring money for alleged bail, lawyer fees, or medical costs.

Authorities note that seniors, particularly those living alone, are the most frequent targets due to their tendency to trust family members. Police advise citizens to never transfer money to unknown callers, to hang up immediately if pressured, and to independently verify any emergency by calling the relative directly on a known number. Suspicious calls should be reported to emergency services via 112.