First fear. Then instructions
On July 2, 2026, a man posing as a bank employee called a woman. He warned her about a supposed attempt to take out a loan using a copied banking app. After a moment, another person, presenting herself as a system monitoring department employee, took over the call.
That was the turning point. The scammers didn’t ask for money right away. First they built a credible story, then kept in touch for several hours and sent fake SMS messages. The woman was meant to believe she was not following the criminals’ orders but acting to protect her own savings.
She closed deposits, generated codes, authorized cash withdrawals, and made several transfers. The total loss exceeded 67,000 zlotys. Only after the call ended did she call the bank’s helpline herself. Only then did she learn the truth. She fell victim to fraud. The bank blocked her account and access to online banking, and the case was handed over to the police.
One sentence that overrides reason
In Żarki the criminals used a different hook. They called a 75‑year‑old woman and delivered a dramatic message about a supposed accident involving her daughter. According to the caller, urgent money was needed to avoid serious legal consequences.
Time was also critical here. The less space for questions, the higher the chance that emotions replace assessment of the situation. The senior lady believed the story and handed the man 42,000 zlotys. It soon became clear that the whole tale was a scam.
Both stories share the same scheme. The perpetrator first creates a sense of threat, then presents themselves as a helper to fight the crisis. The victim is told not to analyze but to obey. A banker, police officer, prosecutor, or court employee are just roles the criminal adopts in an organized performance.
Ending the call can save savings
The most effective response is simple: disconnect and verify the information yourself. Call the official bank helpline or directly contact a close person supposedly involved in the incident. That one move takes away the scammer’s most important weapon: control over the conversation’s flow.
Bank staff never ask customers to make transfers, generate codes, withdraw cash from ATMs, or send money to “secure” it. Police, prosecutors, and court staff also do not demand cash in connection with ongoing cases or family accidents.
When the phone forces an immediate decision, that’s when you must slow down. Disconnect. Verify. Call the official number, and if you suspect fraud, dial 112. Talk to parents and grandparents about these two stories; a calm conversation can protect them from losing all their savings.
