The Polish Post Office has foiled a money-extortion scam
In recent weeks, frauds targeting the elderly, using the so-called "grandson," "postal worker," or "police officer" methods, have intensified. Despite numerous social campaigns and information campaigns, seniors continue to fall victim to fraudulent schemes for significant sums of money. The Polish Post Office and the Police, especially during the pre-holiday period, when this phenomenon intensifies, have intensified their cooperation. Thanks to this, significant sums of money have recently been prevented from being paid out.
The crime scenario is usually the same. Fraudsters posing as a postman, police officer, or grandson typically ask for cash to be collected from the victim's home, a bank transfer, or even a joint visit to a post office or bank branch to withdraw money from their account. Believing they are helping a loved one in need or government agencies, the victim is robbed.
Thanks to the internal procedures of the Polish Post Office and the actions of the Police, further attempts at money extortion have recently been prevented.
In September of this year, the Warsaw Police Headquarters received a request for Poczta Polska (Polish Post) to take action to prevent the payment of a money order sent by a person who had fallen victim to fraudsters using the "grandson" method. The fraudster attempted to withdraw the amount twice. Due to an error in the recipient's name, the money order was not paid. There was a suspicion that another attempt would be made to withdraw the money order. Upon receiving this information, Poczta Polska (Polish Post) immediately sent information to its subordinate offices about the possibility of another withdrawal attempt. At the same time, based on previous withdrawal attempts, the person's details were identified. Poczta Polska (Polish Post) blocked the amount – there was no further withdrawal attempt, and the withheld amount was returned to the sender.
Another similar incident occurred in October of this year. This case involved the withdrawal of a postal money order for PLN 25,000. A Polish Post employee monitored the matter closely and maintained constant telephone contact with police officers. Steps were taken to prevent the fraudulent scheme. Post offices were informed that the injured party had sent another money order in the same name for PLN 20,000, and that the fraudsters might have attempted to withdraw it. Thanks to the prompt action of Polish Post employees, the money order was not withdrawn, and the amount was returned to the sender. Ultimately, the perpetrators were apprehended at the post office, and another attempt at cash fraud was foiled. Polish Post employees demonstrated increased vigilance during the attempted withdrawal of the money order in the same name. Following prior instructions, they asked the person attempting to withdraw the money order for patience and called the police. The perpetrators were apprehended while committing the crime.
The Polish Post Office (Poczta Polska) is constantly alerting its employees to be especially vigilant about unusual payments made by seniors. Perpetrators of this type of fraud are often apprehended thanks to the help of those aware that they may be being defrauded.
" Especially in the pre-holiday period, when we receive or send parcels and money orders much more frequently, we urge you to be especially cautious. Genuine Poczta Polska employees never ask for money or sensitive data. Poczta Polska also does not call its customers asking for any information or data. Remember the principle of 'limited trust' when dealing with strangers. Unexpected calls from people pretending to be fakes don't necessarily result in money being extorted, " says Justyna Siwek, spokesperson for Poczta Polska.
If you have any suspicions, please call the police on 997 or 112. Simple caution can protect anyone from losing years of savings.