# Expanding wave of fraud across Central Europe and the Balkan

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/croatiabosnia-investment-fraud-warnings
> Updated: 2026-08-17T09:27:53.000Z. Sources: 127. Developments: 33.

Investigations reveal an intensifying wave of electronic, financial, and social engineering scams across Central Europe and the Balkans. Throughout mid-2026, authorities reported diverse fraudulent tactics targeting both private citizens and public institutions.

Investment and cryptocurrency scams remain widespread. In the Czech Republic, a 67-year-old man in the Trutnov region was defrauded of nearly 13 million CZK through a sophisticated scheme using fake advertisements featuring political and media figures. The victim was coerced into transferring funds and handing large sums of cash to couriers over five months, using a specific code word, ‘koloběžka’ (scooter).

In Croatia, authorities continue to report significant losses. In the Virovitica-Podravina region, four cases involving internet and investment fraud resulted in losses exceeding 178,000 euros, including a 75-year-old victim losing 120,000 euros to cryptocurrency scammers and another losing 54,000 euros to fake stock trading. Other reported incidents include gold and oil scams, a cryptocurrency impersonation targeting a senior in Đurđevac, and accommodation fraud in the Zadar region where tourists paid for non-existent vacation rentals.

Phishing and impersonation attacks also persist. Croatian police reported an SMS scam where a woman was deceived into sending money to a foreign account by someone posing as her daughter. 

Social engineering and romance scams continue to target vulnerable groups. Law enforcement agencies throughout the region continue to urge vigilance, advising the public to verify all financial requests, avoid clicking unsolicited links, and never hand cash to strangers regardless of agreed-upon passwords or code words.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Croatia police report 178,000 euros lost to various fraud schemes

Police in Croatia reported four fraud cases involving cryptocurrency, fake stocks, and gold investments, totaling over 178,000 euros in losses.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-police-report-178000-euros-lost-to-various-fraud-schemes

### 2026-08-14: Trutnov senior defrauded of 13 million CZK in investment scam

A senior in the Trutnov region lost nearly 13 million CZK to scammers using fake ads featuring Andrej Babiš and Tereza Tománková. The victim handed large cash sums to couriers using the code word ‘koloběžka’.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trutnov-senior-defrauded-of-13-million-czk-in-investment-scam

### 2026-08-06: Police investigate various fraud cases and long-term robbery suspect arrest

Police in Croatia are investigating cryptocurrency and rental accommodation scams, while a suspect in a 2014 German bank robbery was arrested in Spain.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/berlin-garden-association-embezzlement-of-970000-uncovered

### 2026-07-24: Elderly Czech victims lose up to 112,000 CZK in phone and SMS scams

Czech police flag multiple scams that have cost seniors up to 112,000 CZK, involving fake relatives, bogus delivery fees and promised overseas payouts; victims urged to verify requests and report fraud.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-authorities-tackle-largescale-shippingscam-fraud-and-recordhigh-drunkdriving-case

### 2026-07-21: Hradec Králové fraud sees 46 million CZK siphoned by impersonators

A Hradec Králové municipal employee sent 46 million CZK to fraudsters posing as police and bank staff; the loss, deemed a record vishing scam, led to resignation, police investigation and warnings of rising fra

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fraudsters-dupe-hradec-krlov-property-management-of-46-million-czk

### 2026-07-20: Croatian investors lose €80,000 in fraud; police warn of rising scams

Croatian victims lose up to €80,000 in sophisticated investment scams; police issue wide‑ranging warnings on WhatsApp, SMS and fake‑official calls.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-seniors-defrauded-of-tens-of-thousands-euros-in-online-investment-scams

### 2026-07-20: Slovak National Bank warns of fake funeral insurance scams

The Slovak National Bank warns that fake funeral‑insurance offers are being used to harvest personal data for later fraud, urging verification of insurers and caution with online links.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovak-national-bank-warns-of-fake-funeral-insurance-scams

### 2026-07-17: Three impostor police officers arrested in Zagreb for elderly fraud

Zagreb police arrested a 34‑year‑old man, a 38‑year‑old man and a 39‑year‑old woman who posed as officers to swindle two elderly women of €6,300 and attempted a third fraud, after citizen tips led to their June

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zagreb-economics-professor-dominik-vuleti-re-arrested-on-sexual-harassment-charges

### 2026-07-17: Czech Health Insurance Fund warns of phishing scam targeting bank accounts

Czech Health Insurance Fund (VZP) warns that fraudsters send fake links to update health cards, stealing personal and banking data. Do not click or share details; report to banks and police.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-health-insurance-fund-warns-of-phishing-scam-targeting-bank-accounts

### 2026-07-16: Czech and Burkina Faso men face years in prison for multi‑million fraud schemes

A Czech man defrauded online buyers of 1.1 million crowns and faces up to five years, while a Burkina Faso victim lost over 4.6 million crowns after a TV‑ad investment scam.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-and-burkina-faso-men-face-years-in-prison-for-multimillion-fraud-schemes

### 2026-07-16: Ivica Todorić Faces Confirmed Charges in Agrokor Fraud Case

Croatian courts confirm indictment against former Agrokor owner Ivica Todorić and auditor Discordija; auditor Sanja Hrstić pleaded guilty and received a suspended nine‑month sentence. Damage ≈ €179 million.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ivica-todori-becomes-sole-defendant-in-croatias-veliki-agrokor-trial

### 2026-07-11: Czech phishing emails promise fake 12,407.50 CZK refunds

Scam emails in the Czech Republic promise a 12,407.50 CZK refund, use official logos and fake forms to steal banking credentials, prompting police warnings about potential losses.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-phishing-emails-promise-fake-1240750-czk-refunds

### 2026-07-10: Czech seniors lose over 9 million CZK to online investment fraud

Czech police report two senior‑targeted investment scams that cost a Rychnov couple about 8 million CZK and a Tábor woman over 1 million CZK, warning the public against such online fraud.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-seniors-lose-over-9-million-czk-to-online-investment-fraud

### 2026-07-08: Croatian ex‑bank director and accomplices charged in multi‑million euro fraud

Croatian prosecutors charge a former bank director, a former personal banker and a third suspect with a €1.8 million fraud and money‑laundering scheme that hurt customers and the bank.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-exbank-director-and-accomplices-charged-in-multimillion-euro-fraud

### 2026-07-08: Croatian man loses thousands in cryptocurrency trading fraud

A 38‑year‑old Croatian was scammed out of thousands of euros by a fake cryptocurrency trading site; police warn others to verify licences and avoid unverified investment apps.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-man-loses-thousands-in-cryptocurrency-trading-fraud

### 2026-07-07: Croatian police report assault in Zagorje and AI‑driven fraud scam in Varaždin

Croatian police arrested a 56‑year‑old for assaulting an officer in Zagorje, and a 64‑year‑old in Varaždin fell victim to an AI‑earnings fraud, losing several thousand euros.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-police-report-assault-in-zagorje-and-aidriven-fraud-scam-in-varadin

### 2026-07-07: Slovak and Czech police bust cross‑border crypto‑investment fraud network

Slovak and Czech police, with Europol, dismantled a crypto‑investment fraud network that swindled over 1,000 victims of about €8.4 million, while prosecutors in Košice filed charges in a related €24 million‑scc

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovak-and-czech-police-bust-cryptoinvestment-fraud-seize-84-million-assets

### 2026-07-07: Bank SMS phishing scams affect Bosnia, Croatia and Montenegro

Police in Bosnia, Croatia and Montenegro warn that fake SMS messages posing as banks are stealing personal data and emptying accounts, with losses reported in the hundreds of euros.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-police-warn-of-otp-bank-sms-scams-that-stole-hundreds-of-euros

### 2026-07-06: Split‑Dalmatia police log rise in computer fraud, thefts and road accidents

Split‑Dalmatian police reported a surge of crimes including computer fraud, thefts, road accidents and a SMS phishing scam that cost three victims about €2,300.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/splitdalmatia-police-log-rise-in-computer-fraud-thefts-and-road-accidents

### 2026-07-04: Czech police address online romance fraud and train harassment cases

Czech police warn of a romance scam that cost a woman over a million crowns and fine a man 6,000 crowns for touching a teenage girl on a train, underscoring crackdowns on fraud and harassment.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-police-address-online-romance-fraud-and-train-harassment-cases

### 2026-07-02: Slovenian police say crypto‑scam fraud cost victims €102,000

Slovenian police uncovered two online crypto‑scam frauds that cost victims €12,000 and over €90,000, and issued warnings against sharing banking data.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenian-police-say-cryptoscam-fraud-cost-victims-102000

### 2026-06-30: Slovakia and Czech Republic Warned of Massive Investment and Phishing Scams

Security researchers flagged over 236,000 fake investment sites using a Chinese framework, while Czech officials warned of phishing emails promising a 240,000‑CZK payout that request personal IDs.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-and-czech-republic-warned-of-massive-investment-and-phishing-scams

### 2026-06-30: Slovenian police bust online scams that stole €46,000 from two victims

Slovenian police say two online scams, using fake apps, stole €33,600 and €12,970 from victims in Celje region.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenian-police-bust-online-scams-that-stole-46000-from-two-victims

### 2026-06-29: Czech police alert to online romance scams draining millions from victims

Czech police report two romance‑fraud cases: a man lost 5.5 m CZK in a fake crypto scheme, and a woman sent €42,000 to an impostor claiming to be a US soldier. Victims warned to verify online contacts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-police-alert-to-online-romance-scams-draining-millions-from-victims

### 2026-06-26: Bulgaria warns of rising phone spoofing scams targeting victims

Bulgarian officials warn of phone‑spoofing scams where callers fake trusted numbers, threatening victims and demanding payments; regulators are preparing new protections.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-warns-of-rising-phone-spoofing-scams-targeting-victims

### 2026-06-25: Croatian police warn of rising online investment and romance scams costing victims tens of thousands of euros

Croatian police report a series of online scams—including fake investment, parking‑ticket and romance frauds—that have cost victims over €60 000, and urge caution and reporting.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-probes-online-investment-fraud-and-fake-product-scams

### 2026-06-24: Police alert citizens to phishing, bank fraud and fake investment scams in Croatia and Montenegro

Police in Croatia and Montenegro warn of phishing, bank fraud and a fake investment scheme that have cost victims thousands of euros, urging people not to share personal or banking data.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-police-probe-bank-sms-fraud-after-victims-lose-thousands-in-rijeka-and-split

### 2026-06-14: Croatian County Loses Hundreds of Thousands Euros in Email Scam, Serbian Woman Defrauded of 370 Euros via SMS

A Croatian county lost hundreds of thousands of euros after an email scam, while a Serbian woman was duped by an SMS and lost about 370 euros, highlighting rising fraud threats.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-county-loses-hundreds-of-thousands-euros-in-email-scam-serbian-woman-defrauded-of-370-euros

### 2026-06-10: Croatian police bust fraud and forced‑theft schemes targeting senior citizens

Croatian police arrested a fraud duo who stole €120,000 from three senior women and a pair who forced a 43‑year‑old man to commit thefts and take bank loans across several cities.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zagreb-fraud-ring-scams-three-elderly-women-of-120000

### 2026-06-05: Croatian police warn of gold‑oil investment scam that defrauded victim of over €50,000

Croatian police report a fraud where impostor brokers swindled a man out of €50,000 by promising gold‑oil gains, urging caution against fast‑return schemes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-police-warn-of-goldoil-investment-scam-that-defrauded-victim-of-over-50000

### 2026-06-05: Croatian residents lose over €17,000 to fake bank SMS scams

Croatian police report fake bank SMS scams in Split, Trogir and Hvar costing victims €17,100; authorities warn against clicking suspicious links.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-residents-lose-over-17000-to-fake-bank-sms-scams

### 2026-06-04: Bulgaria faces new parent‑targeted phishing scam via iMessage and SMS

A mass phishing scam in Bulgaria imitates a child asking a parent for help, using foreign numbers (including Morocco's +212) to lure victims into sending money or personal data.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-faces-new-parenttargeted-phishing-scam-via-imessage-and-sms

### 2026-05-13: Croatian and Bosnian police alert public to rise in banking phishing and fake‑investment scams

Police in Bosnia and Croatia warn of SMS banking phishing and fake‑investment scams that have cost victims hundreds to thousands of euros.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-and-bosnian-police-alert-public-to-rise-in-banking-phishing-and-fakeinvestment-scams

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Cite as: Expanding wave of fraud across Central Europe and the Balkan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/croatiabosnia-investment-fraud-warnings