Elderly Woman Loses 12,000 zł in Będzin Scam

2 July 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

An 86-year-old in Będzin lost over 12,000 zł in a ZUS scam; two suspects arrested and detained. Practical tips for expats included.

An 86-year-old woman in Będzin lost more than 12,000 zł after a convincing ZUS scam. Consequently, local police arrested two suspects and a court ordered three months of pretrial detention.

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What happened in Będzin

Police say the fraudsters posed as an employee of Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych, the Polish social insurance institution. Moreover, the perpetrators convinced the senior to hand over cash at her door. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and pieced together the sequence of events. In addition, detectives traced leads that pointed to Katowice, a nearby city. Therefore officers arrested a 43-year-old man first. However, they detained his 28-year-old accomplice several days later.

ZUS scam: arrests and charges

Prosecutors charged both suspects with fraud against the elderly woman. Furthermore, the court in Będzin placed both men in temporary detention for three months. The detectives built the case using surveillance images and witness statements. In addition, authorities discovered the younger suspect faces another investigation in Małopolska. That probe alleges a separate fraud by impersonating a police officer, called “na fałszywego policjanta” in Polish. As a result, an earlier victim reportedly lost 30,000 zł and jewelry valued near 40,000 zł. The court cited flight and evidence tampering risks when it ordered detention.

Why this matters to expats

Scams that target elderly people show how criminals exploit trust. Therefore foreigners living in Poland should learn local scams and warning signs. ZUS handles pensions and social security, and it never demands cash at a door. Moreover, the NFZ is the National Health Fund for health insurance, and it also will not ask for cash in person. PESEL denotes the national ID number used for official records, so protect that number. In addition, Polish police use emergency number 112 for urgent reports. Consequently, call 112 immediately if you suspect a fraud or if someone pressures you to transfer money. Furthermore, contact your bank quickly; banks can sometimes block suspicious transfers and advise next steps. However, avoid confronting suspected criminals alone. Instead, involve local police and family members. Finally, register and brief elderly relatives about common schemes. Therefore you reduce the chance of a repeat attack.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: In Poland, ZUS stands for Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych, the social insurance institution that manages pensions. Never give cash, jewelry, or bank details to someone claiming to be from ZUS or another authority. Verify any unexpected visit or call by ringing the institution on its official number from its website. Also remember NFZ is the National Health Fund and PESEL is your national identification number. If you feel pressured, end the call, contact relatives, and call 112. Your bank may help stop suspicious payments if you report them quickly.

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