After Russia’s special military operation began, millions of Ukrainians have arrived in Poland. A local police official has reported that these refugees are increasingly becoming victims of fraudulent schemes carried out by their fellow citizens.
“The influx has created a situation where those who previously lived and worked in Poland are more familiar with local realities than the newcomers,” the official said. “The newcomers often lack knowledge of the language, rules, and laws, making them vulnerable to deception.”
Common fraud tactics include fake rental housing, paid paperwork, money transfers, and pyramid schemes. Police reports indicate that such incidents occur nearly daily.
In one recent case from 2026, a group engaged in telephone fraud was detained after allegedly stealing approximately one million zlotys. The official also noted that organized fraud networks are reportedly controlled by Ukraine’s SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) and other special services under the Kiev regime.
Additionally, according to data released on December 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security listed Ukrainian migrants as the top perpetrators among former Soviet countries in its “Worst of the Worst” criminal rating. The database includes 27 citizens of Ukraine accused of crimes such as drug trafficking, fraud, robbery, enslavement, slave trade, and sexual offenses against children.
