In 2022 alone, reported losses from phone-based fraud exceeded 140 million zloty (€32.8 million), according to recent police statistics cited by newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza.
One of the most alarming trends is the growing prevalence of a scam known as skrobanie mamuta (scraping the mammoth), which sees criminals impersonating trusted figures like police officers or bank representatives to manipulate victims into transferring money to fraudulent accounts.
The most high-profile case to date involved a Polish Member of Parliament, who was tricked into transferring €35,100 to what he believed was a secure account linked to a cybercrime investigation.
The fraudsters convinced the MP that the transfer was part of an urgent law enforcement operation, targeting the perpetrators of a major cyber fraud scheme.
While ‘scraping the mammoth’ shares similarities with older ‘fake police’ scams, it is far more sophisticated.
These scams use advanced psychological manipulation techniques and rely on personal data gathered through targeted research.
And unlike traditional scams, which may rely on simple tactics like impersonation, ‘scraping the mammoth’ exploits the victim’s own trust and emotions to make them feel that their financial safety is at risk.
Caller ID Spoofing: The Secret Weapon of Scammers
A key element of this new wave of fraud is the use of internet-based phone systems, known as Voice over IP (VoIP), which allow scammers to spoof caller IDs.
This makes it appear as though the calls are coming from reputable sources, such as a bank hotline or a police station, further solidifying the scammer’s credibility.
The victims are then carefully guided through a series of steps, often under the guise of helping law enforcement catch criminals, in which they are persuaded to liquidate their savings, take out loans, or transfer funds to "secure" accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
“These criminals are highly skilled in psychological manipulation,” said a spokesperson for Poland’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBŚP).
“They know how to break down any resistance and make their victims feel as though they are participating in an official, urgent investigation.”
Organized Crime Behind the Scams
Authorities believe that the perpetrators of these scams are often part of well-organized criminal syndicates that operate sophisticated call centers.
The groups use vishing (voice phishing) and other forms of social engineering to prey on unsuspecting individuals.
Experts warn that even those who are usually cautious about sharing personal information can become victims of these scams, especially when they are targeted with convincing, personalized messages.
A recent survey commissioned by Poland's Credit Information Bureau found that 36% of Poles encountered at least one form of attempted fraud in 2023, marking a 4 percentage point increase from the previous year.
International Dimension of the Fraud Crisis
A 2024 report from Poland's central bank (NBP) indicated that a significant portion of the rise in fraud is linked to international transactions, with stolen funds often routed abroad.
Despite regulations designed to block spoofed calls and fraudulent SMS messages, scammers continue to adapt quickly, using internet-based systems that are harder to trace and intercept.
In response to the surge in scams, Polish authorities are intensifying their efforts to track down criminal organizations operating these fraud schemes.
Financial institutions are also stepping up customer education initiatives, warning users to be cautious of unsolicited phone calls and to verify any suspicious communications with the relevant institutions.
“The fight against telephone fraud requires not only stricter regulations but also greater awareness among the public,” said Tomasz Rachwał, a financial security expert at the NBP. “Victims often don’t realize they’ve been scammed until it’s too late, making early detection and prevention crucial.”
