Two Arrested in Warsaw ATM Scam Sting

16 April 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Police arrested two suspects in an ATM scam in Warsaw, seizing over 30,000 PLN. Learn why the ATM scam Warsaw matters to expats.

Two people faced arrest on Bemowo after police caught them withdrawing cash every few minutes in a suspected ATM scam Warsaw operation. Consequently, officers recovered more than 30,000 PLN and seized phones that may link them to victims.

Table of Contents

What happened on Bemowo

Police from the local patrol unit had prior intelligence about fraudsters using stolen bank codes. Moreover, they monitored the area and spotted a man and a woman acting nervously near an ATM. Therefore, officers approached them as they used a bank terminal repeatedly. The man admitted he used codes obtained from victims. In addition, police found three large bundles of cash on him. Consequently, both suspects went to detention.

Charges, court action and legal context

Prosecutors charged the two with fraud and asked for preventive detention. Therefore, a court ordered three months of temporary arrest. Moreover, Polish prosecutors (Prokuratura) usually keep such cases under active supervision. However, an arrest does not equal guilt. The court will review the evidence during the investigation. In Poland, police initiate criminal cases and the prosecutor leads the probe. In addition, suspects can later face trial if prosecutors file formal charges.

How the scam works and why it matters

Scammers often impersonate friends or relatives and request money urgently. Moreover, they ask for a BLIK code or another one-time bank code. Consequently, victims send the code, and criminals withdraw cash immediately. In many cases banks cannot reverse BLIK transactions. Therefore, money disappears fast and victims struggle to recover it. Moreover, fraudsters target dense urban areas like Warsaw because they can make many withdrawals quickly.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If someone asks for a BLIK code, stop and call the person directly. Polish banks issue short numeric codes called BLIK for instant cash withdrawals and payments. In addition, a PESEL is a national ID number, ZUS handles social security, and NFZ manages public health insurance. Therefore, never share one-time codes by message. Also, report scams to your bank and the Polish police (Policja) immediately so they can act.

For expats, this case shows how fraud exploits quick mobile payments. Moreover, you may not speak Polish well under stress. Therefore, prepare a verification plan. First, call your friend or family on a known number. Second, enable bank alerts and two-factor authentication. Third, keep emergency bank hotlines saved. In addition, consider using biometric locks on phones to protect banking apps.

Police noted the suspects were Ukrainian nationals aged 39 and 42. However, authorities stress that nationality does not imply guilt. Consequently, the investigation will establish whether they acted alone or as part of a network. In addition, police aim to trace victims and recover funds through evidence on seized phones.

Finally, remember that a single BLIK code can drain an account. Therefore, verify requests before acting. Moreover, if you lose money, contact your bank and file a police report quickly. In addition, keep copies of correspondence and screenshots as evidence.

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