The attack, which took place over the past weekend, appears to involve so-called “skimming,” in which criminals copied data from payment cards and used it to withdraw money from ATMs across the country, according to the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBŚP).
Commissioner Marcin Zagórski told the Polish state news agency PAP that nearly 200 people have so far been affected. Officials believe several individuals were involved in the coordinated operation, which targeted both Santander customers and account holders at other banks.
Police probe skimming scheme targeting Santander customers in Poland
Santander Bank Polska said on Sunday that it had put in place measures to prevent further criminal activity.
Customers who notice suspicious transactions are urged to report them to the police, providing identification, account numbers, and a record of recent transactions.
The investigation is being led by the District Prosecutor’s Office in Bydgoszcz, a city in northern Poland.
Scale of the theft and affected customers
According to Polish radio station RMF FM, the estimated total stolen amounts to around 2 million PLN (€471,810).
Six hundred transactions are being examined, along with the possibility that the criminals copied card data from approximately 400 people.
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Source: Radio Poland/PAP/RMF FM/CBŚP