Fraud

Poland is facing one of its largest ATM-related financial crimes in years.

Nearly 500 people across the country have lost money from their bank accounts due to a sophisticated skimming attack that copied their payment card data.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Bydgoszcz is leading the investigation, confirming that thieves managed to steal more than 2.2 million Polish złoty (about $604,000 USD) from Santander Bank Polska clients.

Organized Gang Targets Dozens of ATMs
Polish authorities have described the operation as a well-coordinated criminal scheme.

So far, nearly 200 official reports of unauthorized withdrawals have been filed, mainly in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Greater Poland regions.
Investigators suspect the criminals installed skimming devices on ATMs located at several Santander branches — at least two of them in Bydgoszcz.
“All indications point to a classic skimming attack — theft of card data from the magnetic stripe and its use for unauthorized withdrawals across the country,”

said Marcin Zagórski from the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC).
Zagórski added that, so far, no evidence suggests other banks were targeted, but the number of victims continues to rise.

Police are currently gathering evidence and analyzing surveillance footage from affected ATM locations.

Santander Responds: Blocked Cards and Automatic Refunds
Santander Bank Polska confirmed it is cooperating closely with investigators and that all affected customers have been refunded automatically.
The bank also blocked all cards that could have been compromised and warned clients to regularly check their accounts for suspicious transactions.
In a statement, the bank emphasized that the incident was regional in scope and did not compromise the integrity of its banking systems or contactless transactions.
“Customer safety is our absolute priority. We immediately implemented protective measures and compensated all verified losses,” a Santander spokesperson said.

How Skimming Works
Criminals typically install special devices known as “skimmers” directly onto an ATM’s card reader. These devices capture data from the card’s magnetic stripe, which is then used to create cloned copies of the card.
The duplicates are later used to withdraw cash or make fraudulent purchases, often before victims realize their money is gone.

Police Urge Citizens to Check Their Accounts
Investigators are urging anyone who suspects they’ve been affected to contact the nearest police station immediately.

Authorities also recommend:

🔹 Inspecting the ATM’s card reader and keypad before use

🔹 Covering your hand when entering your PIN

🔹 Regularly reviewing your account statements
According to prosecutor Agnieszka Adamska-Okońska from Bydgoszcz, the total loss is currently estimated at over 2.2 million PLN, but the number of victims may still increase as the investigation continues.

A Security Wake-Up Call for Europe
The Polish case highlights how traditional financial crimes remain highly effective, even in an era dominated by digital payments.

Experts stress the importance of raising financial awareness and enhancing ATM security technology.
While Polish authorities pursue the organized gang behind the attack, banks across Europe are watching closely to determine whether this could be part of a larger international network targeting other EU countries.


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Poland is dealing with one of its most significant ATM-related financial crimes in recent memory. Nearly 500 people nationwide have lost money from their bank accounts following a sophisticated skimming attack that stole payment card data.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Bydgoszcz confirmed that the criminals managed to siphon off more than 2.2 million Polish złoty (around $604,000 USD) from Santander Bank Polska clients.
🏦 Organized Gang Targets Dozens of ATMs
According to authorities, the crime was a well-coordinated operation involving multiple ATM locations.

So far, around 200 official reports of unauthorized withdrawals have been filed, mostly in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Greater Poland regions.
Investigators believe the gang installed skimming devices on ATMs at several Santander Bank branches, including at least two in Bydgoszcz.

“All indications point to a classic skimming attack — theft of card data from the magnetic stripe and its use for unauthorized withdrawals across the country,”

said Marcin Zagórski from Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC).
Zagórski noted that, so far, there’s no evidence other banks were affected — but the number of victims is still growing.

Authorities are currently collecting evidence and reviewing surveillance footage from compromised ATMs.
💳 Santander Responds: Refunds and Security Measures
Santander Bank Polska confirmed it is fully cooperating with investigators. All affected customers have already been refunded automatically, and the bank has blocked potentially compromised cards.

In an official statement, Santander emphasized that the attack was regional in scope and did not compromise the integrity of its banking systems or contactless transactions.

“Customer safety is our absolute priority. We immediately implemented protective measures and compensated all verified losses,”

said a Santander spokesperson.
🔍 How ATM Skimming Works
Skimming involves attaching a hidden device to an ATM’s card reader. This “skimmer” copies data from the magnetic stripe of inserted cards. Criminals then use that information to create cloned cards, enabling unauthorized withdrawals or purchases before victims even realize their money is gone.
🚨 Police Urge Vigilance
Authorities are urging citizens to inspect ATMs carefully and check their bank accounts regularly.
Recommended precautions:

🔹 Look for unusual attachments on the card reader or keypad

🔹 Cover your hand when entering your PIN

🔹 Report suspicious transactions immediately
Prosecutor Agnieszka Adamska-Okońska from Bydgoszcz stated that total losses have already exceeded 2.2 million PLN, with the number of victims expected to rise as the investigation continues.
🌍 A Security Wake-Up Call for Europe

This case serves as a reminder that traditional financial crimes remain highly effective — even in today’s digitally driven world.
Cybersecurity experts stress the urgent need to upgrade ATM technology and boost consumer awareness. Meanwhile, banks across Europe are monitoring the situation closely amid concerns that the attack may be linked to a wider international network.
#Poland #CyberCrime #CyberSecurity #Fraud #CryptoNews
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Disclaimer:

The information and views presented in this article are for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Investing in cryptocurrencies or other financial assets carries risks that may result in financial loss.