Man Arrested in Bemowo Over ATM Impersonation Scam

25 June 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Police arrested a suspect in an impersonation ATM scam in Bemowo. Over 16,000 zł recovered; suspect faces up to 8 years.

Police in Warsaw’s Bemowo district arrested a 36-year-old man accused of an impersonation ATM scam near a cash machine. The officers seized more than 16,000 zł and the suspect now faces fraud charges that can carry up to eight years in prison.

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Impersonation ATM scam: Arrest in Bemowo

Officers from the Bemowo patrol observed a man withdrawing cash near an ATM. Consequently, they suspected he used illegally obtained bank codes to make the withdrawals. The suspect tried to flee when he saw police. However, the officers caught him after a short chase. Moreover, they found a large amount of cash on him. The man could not explain where the money came from. Therefore, the police took him to a holding cell. In addition, investigators gathered evidence at the scene.

How the alleged scam worked and what the police say

Investigators say the fraudster impersonated other people to trick victims into revealing codes. He used social engineering to win victims’ trust. Consequently, victims handed over one-time passwords or PINs. In Poland, banks often send codes by text or app to confirm transactions. However, scammers pressure victims to share those codes quickly. Also, the fraud can target anyone using online banking. Therefore, banks and police warn customers to never reveal codes by phone.

Legal follow-up and local context

The district prosecutor in Warsaw-Wola oversees the case. Consequently, the suspect faces an official charge of fraud. The prosecutor placed the man under police supervision, known locally as dozór policyjny. In Poland, prosecutors lead pre-trial investigations, and courts handle trials. Moreover, fraud can carry up to eight years in prison under Polish criminal law. The police continue to collect evidence and may link this arrest to other reported incidents.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you live in Poland, do not share bank authentication codes or card details with strangers. Report suspicious calls to your bank immediately and block cards if needed. File a police report at a station or contact the local unit; in Polish, Police is “Policja”. Keep ID documents like PESEL (national ID number) and bank details safe. Note that ZUS (social insurance) and NFZ (national health fund) do not contact you to ask for banking codes. Finally, if you speak limited Polish, bring a translator or ask embassy staff for help when filing reports.

For expats, the case highlights a common European scam that uses impersonation and speed to succeed. Moreover, ATMs in residential districts like Bemowo can become targets of quick withdrawals. Also, scammers often combine online tricks with phone pressure. Therefore, always verify a caller’s identity through official channels. In addition, save your bank’s emergency number and use it if you suspect fraud.

Police recovered more than 16,000 zł at the scene. Consequently, the amount strengthens the investigators’ case. The 36-year-old remains under supervision while authorities continue inquiries. Moreover, local prosecutors may expand the charges if they find more victims. If convicted, the man faces up to eight years in prison under Polish law.

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