Polish authorities warn of AI‑driven scams and spoofed emergency SMS alerts

Polish police report a sharp rise in fraud that uses artificial intelligence to create convincing fake identities, voices and images. In the first four months of 2026, 2,805 cases of “legend” and internet‑based scams were recorded, a nearly 300 % increase from the previous year, with victim losses approaching 160 million PLN.

At the same time, criminals are exploiting SMS spoofing to send false emergency reports, including to the special text‑message line for the deaf. On 23 May, such a fake alert prompted rescue services to breach the empty family home of President Karol Nawrocki in Gdańsk. Police have linked the incident to a broader pattern of spurious alarm calls that have also targeted other public figures and schools across Poland. Authorities have created a dedicated unit to combat these technologically sophisticated frauds and warn the public to verify identities before responding to any request for money or emergency assistance.