Trust that criminals turned into a tool
Władysława did not take the risk consciously. She did not use online banking, so the option to pay the postman she considered safer than transferring to an unknown company. The state operator inspired trust. And that was the basis of the whole mechanism.
The advertisement led to a simple, aesthetic shop. The offer looked credible: sandals suitable for an older woman, an attractive price, no need to provide card details. The seller claimed delivery only by cash‑on‑delivery through the Polish Post. What should have raised suspicion became an argument in favor of the purchase.
Result? A loss of 99 PLN and a police report. The seller could no longer be found because the site disappeared from the internet, and the information posted there did not lead to a real business. The fraudster did not have to convince the victim to make a suspicious transfer. It was enough that he exploited her trust in a well‑known institution.
Legal package, mechanism tailored for anonymity
Cash‑on‑delivery is a legal service. The problem starts when its rules make it easy to hide the person behind the shipment.
The sender does not have to sign a contract with the Polish Post, although in the courier market such an obligation is often standard. He can fill in the label manually and pay for dispatch in cash. Even if an employee checks identity, the package can be delivered by a stand‑in, the so‑called “pole”. For someone in a difficult life situation, such as a homeless person, the threat of a penalty does not always deter.
The biggest loophole appears later. The sender does not need a bank account to receive the cash from the delivery. He can provide an address where the postman will bring the money. In theory, the courier should verify the recipient’s identity. In practice, time pressure weakens that control.
The mechanism therefore works efficiently: a fake shop collects orders, sends worthless contents, and customers pay before opening the package. When they discover the fraud, the money is often already out of reach.
One conversation can stop the next package
The best protection remains early recognition of the pattern. A shop that allows only cash‑on‑delivery through the Polish Post should raise alert, especially if the seller offers no other delivery or payment methods. The service itself does not prove fraud. Its connection with a vulnerable party, a suspiciously good offer, and hard‑to‑verify company data, however, creates a clear warning signal.
Time also matters. A person who quickly discovers the problem can try to halt the transfer of money. Such a reaction requires immediate contact with the police and the Polish Post. Every hour can decide whether the cash reaches the sender.
Senior citizens are getting better at online shopping, but typical guides do not always describe this specific model of operation. Therefore the warning must be simple: cash‑on‑delivery does not guarantee safety, and a well‑known operator’s logo does not confirm the shop’s honesty.
Talk today with parents, grandparents, or neighbors. Tell them Władysława’s story and ask them to show someone the seller’s site before the next order. One short consultation can protect them from a package full of junk.
