A woman in Slovakia lost €47,000 to phone scammers posing as police officers, highlighting the growing issue of such fraud during which impostors deceive individuals into transferring their money to 'safe accounts.'
In a concerning trend in Slovakia, individuals posing as police officers, among other authority figures, are engaging in telephone scams that target hundreds to thousands of victims daily. According to Attila Zajonc, the head of the criminal police, these fraudsters often trick even well-informed individuals, including lawyers and security personnel, into transferring their savings under the guise of protecting their funds. A recent case involved a 27-year-old woman who fell victim to this type of scam and lost €47,000, prompting police to issue warnings about the dangers of such schemes.
To combat this growing threat, the Slovak police have established a specialized team dedicated to online and phone fraud, which centralizes cases from across the country and collaborates with international partners. Scammers are often based abroad to complicate investigations, and police are currently tackling such cross-border issues. Recently, a group that specifically targeted elderly individuals was dismantled by Austrian authorities, underlining the transnational nature of these crimes.
The swift adaptation of scammers and their strategic operations—including changing locations, renting apartments, and frequently altering SIM cards—poses significant challenges for law enforcement. Zajonc’s remarks illustrate the urgent need for public awareness and education regarding these fraudulent activities, as even those who might be expected to be vigilant can fall prey to sophisticated con artists.
