[REVISION HISTORY]

Expanding wave of fraud across Central Europe and the Balkan

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What changed

2026-09-22 10:15 UTC → 2026-09-25 07:56 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Investigations reveal an intensifying wave of electronic, financial, and social engineering scams across Central Europe and the Balkans. Throughout mid-to-late 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 using fake advertisements featuring political figures. In Slovakia, a senior woman in Bratislava lost 13,920 euros to a cryptocurrency scam involving remote access via a malicious application. In Croatia, new investigations highlight the scale of financial losses. In Bjelovar, a 44-year-old man is accused of misappropriating over 82,000 euros from a managed company through unauthorized withdrawals and loans. In the Split-Dalmatia region, victims reported losses to phishing SMS and fraudulent advertisements for oil, gold, and cryptocurrency. Recent reports from September 2026 indicate further significant losses in Croatia. A 77-year-old woman from the Osijek region lost over 200,000 euros following digital misinformation regarding oil derivatives. In Split, a 78-year-old woman was defrauded of more than 2,200 euros through a cryptocurrency advertisement and social media contact. Additionally, a 67-year-old lost over 30,000 euros to a fake global stock exchange advertisement, while a 50-year-old lost approximately 140,000 euros to a cryptocurrency scam. In Vodice, a 71-year-old retiree was defrauded by individuals posing as police officers. In Slovakia, the consumer organization dTest warns that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and polished websites to impersonate bank officials. The fear of fraud is a significant barrier to investment, with an IPSOS survey revealing that 17.3% of people refrain from investing due to the fear of being robbed.

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