Polish cybercrime unit arrests suspect in international online fraud and email scams

Officers from Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime have arrested a foreign national from Africa suspected of money laundering and document forgery as part of an international fraud network involved in so-called “Nigerian scams” and Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks.

Polish cybercrime officers have arrested a person from Africa suspected of running an international online scam.

Photo courtesy of Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime

The suspect, temporarily detained in Lublin, eastern Poland, allegedly used more than 30 false identities to pose as oil platform workers, international singers, and airline pilots, forming emotional relationships with victims to persuade them to transfer money.

The network also targeted companies through BEC attacks, intercepting email communications between business partners to divert funds.

Police seized electronic devices, banking records, and multiple falsified IDs and driving licenses from several countries.

The suspect faces 12 charges of money laundering and document forgery, carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Authorities continue to investigate and are seeking other members of the criminal network.

To date, losses are estimated at nearly 1 million PLN (€236,515), while seized assets are valued at approximately 300,000 PLN (€70,955).

Policjanci Centralnego Biura Zwalczania Cyberprzestępczości zatrzymali obywatela jednego z państw afrykańskich, podejrzanego o pranie pieniędzy oraz fałszerstwa materialne w ramach grupy dokonującej tzw. oszustw nigeryjskich oraz przestępstw BEC - Business Email Compromise.… pic.twitter.com/KotcbUk0es

— Centralne Biuro Zwalczania Cyberprzestępczości (@PolicjaCBZC) December 30, 2025

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Source: CBZC/X/@PolicjaCBZC