The woman received a call from a man impersonating a police officer. He tried to convince her that her money was at risk and needed to be handed over to authorities for "safekeeping." Sensing something was amiss, she didn't fall for the ploy but decided to play along to help catch the scammer.
Agreeing to the fraudster's demands, she was instructed to leave a bag containing 29,000 Polish złotys (USD 7,100) in cash on her fence. But instead of money, she ingeniously placed an apple and some crossword puzzles inside the bag. After the call, she immediately alerted the real police, who set up a sting operation.
When a 40-year-old man arrived to collect the supposed loot, law enforcement officers swooped in and arrested him on the spot. The suspect was taken into custody at the Wałbrzych police station and later charged with attempted fraud. He now faces up to eight years behind bars. Authorities suspect he may be part of a larger criminal network and hinted at possible further arrests.
This savvy senior's actions not only protected her own savings but also struck a blow against criminal activity targeting vulnerable individuals. Police praised her courage and resourcefulness.
"Always exercise extreme caution during unsolicited phone calls," the Wałbrzych Municipal Police warned on Tuesday. "Remember, genuine police officers will never ask you for money. We also urge family members to educate their elderly relatives about these deceitful tactics."
(jh)
Source: Gazeta.pl, dziennik.walbrzych.pl, TVN24