Elderly Man Loses 20,000 PLN in ‘Police’ Scam

10 August 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

An 84-year-old in Biała Podlaska lost 20,000 PLN to a police impersonation scam. Learn what happened and how expats can protect relatives.

An 84-year-old resident of Biała Podlaska lost 20,000 PLN after a caller pretended to be an officer in a police impersonation scam. Consequently, the man believed he helped law enforcement, and he handed over his savings.

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How the police impersonation scam unfolded

Late in July, a man phoned the senior. Moreover, he claimed to be a police officer. However, he told a story about a gang inside a bank. In addition, he asked the senior to help in a sting operation. Therefore, the victim kept the call open and followed instructions. Consequently, he withdrew his savings and gave the cash to a stranger. Moreover, the caller promised the money would be safe and that the senior would not lose funds.

Police response and arrest

Biała Podlaska investigators started the probe. Moreover, detectives worked with officers from the capital. Consequently, they traced the man who collected the cash to Wołomin county. In addition, police recovered part of the stolen money. Therefore, authorities charged a 42-year-old suspect. Moreover, the court placed him in pre-trial detention. In addition, prosecutors say he faces up to eight years in prison if convicted.

Why this matters to expats and residents

Scams like this hit vulnerable people. Moreover, they exploit trust in institutions. However, foreign residents might not know local customs and risks. Therefore, you should learn how Polish authorities operate. For example, ZUS is the social insurance institution (pension and benefits). In addition, NFZ handles public health insurance. Moreover, PESEL is your national ID number. Therefore, official bodies rarely call and ask for cash or bank transfers. In addition, courts and police will not instruct citizens to hand over money to anonymous couriers.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If someone calls claiming to be police, hang up first. Then call 112 or the local number 997 from your phone. Moreover, contact your bank immediately if you moved money. In addition, do not share your PESEL, card numbers, or online banking codes. Therefore, ask a trusted family member or neighbour to help older relatives. However, remember that Polish police will not ask you to withdraw cash or give money to a courier.

Local context matters. Biała Podlaska lies in eastern Poland. Moreover, Wołomin county sits near Warsaw in Masovia. Therefore, investigators often cross regional borders in these cases. In addition, scammers use urgency and authority to pressure victims. However, quick reporting helps recover funds and build cases.

For expats, register emergency contacts. Moreover, teach elderly relatives how banks and institutions contact clients. In addition, consider bank services that block large cash withdrawals. Therefore, you reduce the chance of financial loss.

Police urge anyone targeted by such calls to report them immediately. Moreover, timely action helps both victims and investigations. In addition, banks can freeze accounts if you act fast. Therefore, trust official numbers and verify calls before you act.

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