Lublin seniors duped in ‘doctor’ scam lose 120k PLN

12 March 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Natural keyword in English: Two elderly women in Lublin lost over 120,000 PLN to a fake-doctor scam as criminals collected cash and jewellery.

Natural keyword in English surfaced in Lublin after two senior women lost large sums. The perpetrators pretended to work at a hospital. Consequently the victims handed over life savings and valuable jewellery.

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What happened in Lublin

Local police report two separate incidents. In both cases callers claimed a family member needed urgent treatment. The victims feared for their sons. Therefore they agreed to hand over cash and rings. Criminals collected the items through arranged pick-ups. The combined loss exceeded 120,000 zł. Moreover police warn that scammers used professional language to build trust. However neighbours later noticed unusual activity near the victims’ flats.

Scam details: Natural keyword in English

Scammers typically call and impersonate hospital staff. They then claim doctors need money for a procedure. In addition they may ask for patient details to sound credible. Consequently victims provide cash, bank card data, or jewellery. Furthermore the caller sometimes instructs a courier to collect the items. The method creates a false emergency. Therefore people act quickly and do not verify details.

Why this matters for expats

Poland hosts many foreign residents who care for elderly relatives. In addition many expats rely on local networks for help. However scams exploit trust and urgency. Consequently families abroad should set verification rules. For example always call the hospital on its public number. Moreover confirm with a known family member before sending money. Also never share your PESEL number (national ID number) or bank codes over the phone.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: In Poland never send money to strangers or give away bank details. Contact the hospital directly using its official number listed on its website. If someone claims to be from the National Health Fund (NFZ, public healthcare payer) or the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS, social security), call the institution’s published line to check. For urgent safety issues call 112. For non-urgent fraud reports call the local police station or use the nearest Komenda Policji. Also alert the victim’s bank immediately to freeze accounts. Finally agree on a family protocol for any unexpected medical calls.

Police urge everyone to stay vigilant. Moreover banks keep advice pages about courier scams. Therefore report any suspicious call to the police. In addition community centres and local NGOs often offer support to seniors. Consequently neighbours and caretakers can help prevent similar losses. However getting help quickly remains crucial.

How to act now If you suspect fraud, call 112 in an emergency. Otherwise visit the nearest police station to file a report. Also contact the victim’s bank and request a transaction block. Finally share the incident with family and trusted neighbours to prevent copycat attacks.

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