In recent days, Poland has seen a sharp increase in the activity of cybercriminals and scammers using social engineering methods. Authorities have dismantled an international criminal group that defrauded and laundered nearly 20 million zloty. Simultaneously, police and banks are warning about fake messages concerning e-PIT tax settlements, fines, and alleged problems with accounts at Bank Pekao and Revolut, which are used to steal savings.
Dismantling of an International Group
13 people were detained, responsible for defrauding and laundering 20 million zloty using fake call centers.
Bank and Tax Authority Warnings
Bank Pekao, Revolut, and the Ministry of Finance warn about phishing related to e-PIT and fake attachments.
Explosion of Fraud on Telegram
The number of investment and payment scams on the Telegram platform increased by a record 233 percent in 2025.
Poland is grappling with an unprecedented scale of financial fraud, affecting both mobile technology users and the elderly. Officers from Wrocław and international services have achieved a significant success by dismantling an organized criminal group. The suspects, operating fake call centers, were responsible for defrauding and "laundering" almost 20 million zloty. During the investigation, 13 people were detained and charged with participating in an international criminal structure specializing in financial manipulation and illegal fund transfers. Simultaneously, law enforcement is observing an intensification of phishing campaigns. Scammers are exploiting the ongoing tax season by impersonating the Your e-PIT service. Their methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated – from fake SMS messages about alleged fines to advanced impersonation of bank employees. In one drastic case, a resident of the region lost over 200,000 zloty after a conversation with a supposed consultant who convinced her to transfer funds to a "safe account". The phenomenon of social engineering in financial crime has evolved from simple "grandchild scams" in the 1990s to complex hybrid operations using artificial intelligence and phone number spoofing.The situation also concerns communication platforms. Foreign reports indicate that the Telegram app has become the fastest-growing channel for distributing fraudulent offers in 2025, recording an increase in incidents of over 230%. Experts warn that the weakest link remains the human, and new techniques, such as fake emails from superiors in companies, are becoming the main attack vector on the business sector. „Uważajmy na wszelkie prośby o przekazanie pieniędzy lub danych dostępowych do bankowości, nawet jeśli osoba dzwoniąca podaje się za funkcjonariusza lub pracownika banku.” (Be cautious of any requests to transfer money or provide banking access credentials, even if the caller claims to be a police officer or bank employee.) — Police Statement In response to the threats, police in various voivodeships, including Lower Silesia, are launching preventive programs such as "Senior with a 6+." They aim to educate those most vulnerable to manipulation. Authorities remind that state institutions and banks never ask for passwords over the phone or for the installation of external remote desktop software.