Lubartów: Ukrainian arrested over investment fraud

26 February 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A 23-year-old Ukrainian national was arrested in Lubartów over an alleged investment fraud that cost a local woman more than 150,000 zł; police interrupted a cash handover and a court ordered pre-trial detention.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested in Lubartów on suspicion of committing an investment fraud that left a 61-year-old local resident out of more than 150,000 zł. The arrest came when the suspect arrived to collect another 40,000 zł in cash and was apprehended by waiting officers — a reminder for expats that high-value cash requests are a major red flag for investment fraud.

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What police say happened

According to local investigators, officers from the Lubartów police criminal unit detained the suspect after the alleged victim reported she had been coaxed into putting money into supposedly legitimate investments in stocks, gold and silver. Over time the woman transferred or handed over sums that police say totalled more than 150,000 zł. When the offender came to collect a further 40,000 zł in cash, law enforcement intervened and arrested him on suspicion of fraud.

How these scams typically work

While details of this particular case are still being clarified in court, the pattern is familiar: victims are persuaded to make repeated payments, sometimes in cash, sometimes by bank transfer, under the promise of unusually high returns. Scammers can use fake platform interfaces, impersonate brokers, or present forged documents. Older people are often targeted because they may be less comfortable with challenging sales tactics or digital verification. For clarity, the Polish financial regulator is the KNF (Polish Financial Supervision Authority), and legitimate investment firms operating in Poland should be registered with it.

Legal steps and possible consequences

After his arrest the man was brought before a judge who ordered temporary arrest (Polish: “tymczasowy areszt”), commonly understood in English as pre-trial detention or remand in custody. In practice, a Polish court typically orders initial pre-trial detention for a limited period — often in three-month blocks — if there is a risk of flight, evidence tampering, or repeat offending. The detained suspect is now subject to criminal proceedings; if convicted, penalties for fraud in Poland can include multi-year prison sentences and financial restitution obligations. Being a foreign national does not prevent arrest or prosecution; it can also lead to immigration consequences depending on the outcome.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you suspect investment fraud, act quickly: contact your bank to ask for transaction freezes, report the case to local Policja (call 112 for emergencies or visit a station for non-urgent reports), and file a complaint with the KNF (Polish Financial Supervision Authority) if an investment firm is involved. Avoid handing over cash — scammers often insist on cash because it is hardest to trace. Keep records of all communications and receipts. If you are a foreign national, inform your embassy or consulate: they can provide guidance but cannot intervene in the criminal process. Finally, check the regulator’s register before investing to confirm that a broker or fund is authorised to operate in Poland.

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