Illusion Theatre for 96,000: How a ‘Prosecutor’ Broke a Senior’s Resistance

8 July 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A detailed account of a fake prosecutor scam that robbed a 76-year-old in Zamość of 96,000 PLN, with tips for expats in Poland.

A 76-year-old woman in Zamość lost 96,000 PLN after a convincing telephone fraud. The case involved a fake prosecutor scam that used urgency and intimidation to force transfers.

Table of Contents

How the fraud unfolded

First, fraudsters called the victim on a landline. Then they posed as a postal worker and said two registered letters awaited collection. Consequently, they tricked her into giving a mobile number. Moreover, the callers used very plausible details to gain trust. In addition, the second call arrived within an hour. A man claimed to be a police officer and to investigate a theft ring inside the bank. Then another accomplice joined and claimed to be a prosecutor. Therefore the illusion looked official and urgent.

Inside the fake prosecutor scam

The scammers isolated the woman and applied huge psychological pressure. Initially she refused to cooperate. However, the fake prosecutor raised his voice and threatened her. Consequently she feared losing her life savings. Then she complied with their demands. First she transferred 32,000 PLN from her account. Afterwards she ran between deposit machines and used BLIK codes to send another 64,000 PLN. Finally the criminals instructed her to take a loan. Instead she went to a bank and told staff what happened. Consequently the bank alerted police in Zamość. However the money was already gone.

Why this matters for expats

Scams like this target trust and fear, not documents. Therefore anyone with family or savings in Poland should know common tactics. Moreover older people remain primary targets. In addition, attackers often mimic institutions such as ZUS (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych, Poland’s social insurance office). Also they may mention NFZ (public health fund) or use personal identifiers like PESEL (national ID number). Consequently the stories sound official to non-experts.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you receive calls about bank problems, hang up. Then call your bank using the number on the back of your card. In addition, call emergency services at 112 to report threats. Remember that Polish police and prosecutors never ask citizens to transfer money. Also avoid sharing BLIK codes, one-time passwords, or PESEL numbers over the phone. Finally, register a trusted local contact who can help elderly relatives verify suspicious calls.

Police in Zamość and regional authorities warn residents and urge caution. Moreover officers remind the public that official investigators never ask citizens to join sting operations. Therefore anyone who hears a request for transfers should end the call. In addition, you should contact your bank quickly if you suspect fraud.

For expats, understanding these patterns helps protect your household. Consequently register trusted banking alerts and use two-factor authentication. Moreover teach older family members about BLIK codes and how criminals exploit them. Finally stay informed and report suspicious calls immediately.

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