Polish Police warn of rising financial impersonation scams

Polish police are issuing urgent warnings regarding a wave of sophisticated financial scams targeting citizens, particularly the elderly. Criminals utilize emotional manipulation, fear, and trust to deceive victims through several common methods.

One prevalent tactic is the ‘grandchild scam,’ where perpetrators pose as family members reporting an emergency, such as a car accident or legal trouble, to solicit immediate funds. In other instances, scammers impersonate police officers, prosecutors, or bank employees. They may claim that a victim's savings are at risk due to fraudulent activity and instruct them to transfer money to a ‘secure’ or ‘technical’ account, or hand over cash to a supposed courier.

Authorities advise the public to remain calm, avoid making decisions under emotional pressure, and never transfer money to strangers. If a suspicious call is received, citizens are encouraged to hang up and verify the situation with family members or local law enforcement.