Young Suspect Arrested in Swidnik Scam

10 April 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Swidnik investment scam led to a 19-year-old arrest after a senior lost one million zł. Learn what happened and what expats should know.

The Swidnik investment scam ended with police arresting a 19-year-old Ukrainian woman after she collected large cash sums from a 76-year-old victim. Consequently, officers intercepted a second handover and recovered 700,000 zł, after an earlier pickup of over 300,000 zł.

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What happened in Świdnik and how police acted

The local police in Świdnik tracked the operation through routine work and targeted surveillance. Moreover, they observed handovers at agreed locations across the district. In addition, the fraudsters used passwords and personal contact to secure trust. Therefore the elderly man paid cash repeatedly under strong persuasion. However, investigators flagged a planned transfer worth 700,000 zł. As a result, officers arrested the 19-year-old right after she took the cash. Finally, authorities secured the money and moved the suspect to the prosecutor’s office.

Swidnik investment scam: the alleged scheme

The victim first responded to an online investment advertisement two years ago. Subsequently, a person posing as an investment advisor contacted him. Moreover, the adviser persuaded him to invest in domestic and foreign markets. In addition, the man invested in markets noted as Turkish and Argentine. Consequently, the fraudsters asked for cash deliveries in person. Therefore the senior handed over large sums to strangers who followed instructions. However, police now say the 19-year-old acted as a collector in at least two handovers.

Legal follow-up and penalties

The prosecutor charged the suspect with participating in a crime against property of significant value. Moreover, the court placed her in pre-trial detention for three months. In addition, the accused faces up to ten years in prison if convicted. Furthermore, investigators work to identify all participants in the network. Consequently, the case remains active and more arrests could follow.

Why this matters to expats and the wider community

This case shows how online investment scams can target older people. Moreover, criminals exploit trust and lack of financial experience. Therefore expats should treat unsolicited investment offers with scepticism. In addition, you should verify advisors using independent sources. Finally, never hand cash to strangers under pressure.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: In Poland many official systems use unique terms. For example PESEL is the national ID number. ZUS is the social insurance office (pension and benefits). NFZ is the public health insurer. A mandat means an on-the-spot fine. Therefore, always protect your documents and confirm identities before any transaction.

Foreign residents should also note that Polish police respond to financial crime and cooperate with prosecutors. Moreover, banks and police encourage victims to report scams quickly. Consequently, fast reporting can help trace funds. In addition, keep records of messages, calls, and bank details. Finally, if someone pressures you to pay cash, refuse and contact the police.

For scale, the victim lost about one million zł in total. Consequently, that sum converts roughly to around 210,000 euros at recent exchange rates. Therefore readers grasp the seriousness of such losses. Moreover, the town of Świdnik sits near Lublin and serves many commuters. In addition, local communities often rely on word of mouth for financial advice. Thus, vigilance matters in small towns as much as in big cities.

Police appeal to the public to stay alert and to report suspicious offers. Moreover, they remind people not to follow instructions from unverified online contacts. Therefore protect yourself and your relatives by verifying every investment opportunity.

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