Profit visible only on the screen
It all started with an advertisement on a social media platform. The message was simple: investing in stocks would bring large sums of money in a short time. The man clicked the link and left his contact details. That was enough to trigger a precisely planned mechanism.
After a short while, a man speaking Polish with an Eastern accent called him. He introduced himself as a representative of an investment firm, assuring the safety of the transaction. He did not demand the full amount immediately, building trust in stages.
The victim systematically transferred money for several weeks. In return he saw funds in his account that he believed were profits from the investment. That picture was meant to confirm that everything was working as planned. The problem was that the money existed only where the fraudster wanted to show it.
One phone call was enough to take control of decisions
The breakthrough occurred during banking login. On the laptop the man saw transfers supposedly coming from invested funds. In the mobile app those funds were missing. Instead of a profit confirmation, a contradiction appeared. The victim then contacted the company representative. He heard that the phone app had only temporary technical problems. And that was when he realized he had fallen victim to a scam.
The case is being handled by officers from the Chełmko Police Station, who are conducting actions to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.
Before you transfer money, check the other side
Police warn against making investment decisions based on a random advertisement or a phone call from someone claiming to be a bank employee or investment firm staff. A professionally sounding voice does not confirm the caller’s identity. A promise of profit is also not proof that the investment exists.
Before transferring money it is best to contact the company yourself and verify it on the Financial Supervisory Authority’s website, which publishes a list of institutions dealing with investment funds and a list of warnings about entities that may operate without the required authorisations.
