Elderly Woman Loses 300,000 zł in Rzeszów County Scam

25 June 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A 70-year-old fell victim to a phone scam Poland scheme and lost about 300,000 zł. Read how it happened and what expats should know.

A 70-year-old woman from Rzeszów County handed scammers about 300,000 zł after they falsely told her her daughter was dying. Consequently, the fraudsters used urgency and fear to force the payment, and the victim lost most of her savings. The case illustrates how phone fraud now targets older Poles and their families.

Table of Contents

How the phone scam Poland unfolded

First, a caller pretended to be a hospital worker. Moreover, the caller said the daughter was on a ventilator. The fake staff warned that only an expensive drug could save her. Therefore, the scammer forbade the woman from hanging up or calling anyone else. As a result, the elderly victim felt isolated and frightened. Consequently, the criminals demanded 400,000 zł to cover the treatment and drug costs.

What happened next

The woman told the callers she had cash. Moreover, the scammers kept pressure on her without pause. Then, a stranger arrived at her home in a plastic bag. The victim handed over about 300,000 zł in a shopping bag. The man left and the woman later called her daughter. However, her daughter was healthy and at home. Therefore, she realized the story had been a lie. In addition, police later arrested a suspect in Lublin. The suspect faces charges related to other frauds.

Police advice and local response

Police in Rzeszów urge caution. Moreover, they remind people never to give money to strangers. In addition, they advise verifying emergency stories immediately. Call family members first. Alternatively, call the emergency number 112. Consequently, you can confirm whether a hospital or ambulance holds your relative. Police also recommend reporting suspicious calls to local stations. As a result, investigators can track patterns and catch networks quicker.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: In Poland, scammers often exploit trust in public services. Therefore, remember these local details. NFZ stands for the National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia) and usually covers emergency care. ZUS is the social insurance institution that handles pensions and benefits. PESEL is the national ID number used in many official checks. Consequently, hospitals and police will never demand cash over the phone. Moreover, always verify any urgent medical claim by calling the family member, the hospital switchboard, or 112 before acting.

Why this matters for expats

Expats should pay attention because these scams often cross borders. Moreover, family members abroad may become indirect targets. If you have elderly relatives in Poland, therefore, discuss safe practices with them. For example, agree on a verification code you can use in emergencies. In addition, set up a trusted local contact who can check a story in person. Consequently, small steps can prevent large losses.

Finally, this case shows how well-practiced scammers exploit fear. However, community awareness and quick verification can stop them. Moreover, recent arrests show police can act fast when notified. Therefore, report suspicious approaches and protect vulnerable relatives.

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