What Is a Police Scam (Policja / CBZC Scam)?
In Poland, scammers may impersonate officers of the Policja (National Police) or the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (Centralne Biuro Zwalczania Cyberprzestępczości – CBZC).
They will convince the target that they are legitimate law enforcement officials.
The scammers may claim that one of the target’s relatives or friends has been detained or accused of a crime.
The criminals will then explain that the only way for the person to be released is to transfer a certain amount of Bitcoin to a wallet address or QR code they provide.
Common targets include:
The elderly,
Recent immigrants,
Young people (especially students unfamiliar with Polish legal systems), and
Workers paid “off the books” (without official contracts).
How Police Scams Operate in Poland
Scammers use advanced technology to spoof phone numbers, making the caller ID appear as if it comes from a real police number or official government line.
They attempt to frighten their victims into believing their loved one is in trouble, urging them to quickly send Bitcoin as “bail” or “release money.”
Once the victim agrees, the scammers provide a Bitcoin wallet address, often shared via QR code sent through SMS, email, or chat apps (such as WhatsApp or Messenger).
When the victim scans the QR code at a cryptocurrency ATM, they are told to insert cash, which is then converted into Bitcoin and sent to the scammer’s wallet.
Once the Bitcoin is sent, the transaction cannot be stopped or reversed.
After receiving the funds, the scammers may create new excuses or additional “fees” to convince the victim to send even more money.
How to Protect Yourself from Police Scams
No part of the Polish government or police (including the Policja, CBZC, or CBŚP – Central Bureau of Investigation) will ever request bail or payment in cryptocurrency.
Legitimate police officers never demand money transfers, Bitcoin payments, or QR code scans over the phone.
If you suspect that the person contacting you is not a real police officer:
Ask for their full name, rank, and badge number.
End the call immediately.
Contact your local police station (Komenda Policji) directly using the phone number listed on the official website https://www.policja.pl to verify their identity.
In some cases, scammers may even provide the name of a real officer to sound more convincing.
Regardless, do not share personal or financial information with anyone over the phone.
Politely inform the caller that you will only cooperate with the authorities in person at a verified police station.
If You Are a Victim of a Scam:
See our guide on what to do if you are the victim of a scam / fraud.