Fake Police Scams in Czechia
Fraudsters impersonate Policie ČR or Europol officers to extort CZK payments from Czech residents under threat of arrest.
Part of: Fake Police Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Police impersonation fraud is an active threat in Czechia, with scammers calling in Czech and claiming to represent Policie České republiky or international law enforcement. Victims are told their bank account or name has appeared in a criminal investigation and that immediate payment is required to resolve the matter.
NÚKIB and Policie ČR both issue public warnings about this fraud type. Elderly residents are the most frequent victims, with losses sometimes in the hundreds of thousands of CZK.
How this scam works on Czechia
A call arrives on a spoofed number appearing to match a local Policie ČR station. The caller claims the victim's bank account has been used in a criminal network, and that transferring funds to a 'police custody account' will protect them during the investigation.
Victims may be transferred to a 'prosecutor' or 'Europol officer' for additional pressure. They are told to keep the call secret from their bank or family.
Some Czech variants instruct victims to purchase crypto or withdraw cash for handover to a 'plainclothes officer'.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call claiming your bank is implicated in criminal activity
- Request to transfer CZK to a 'police or judicial security account'
- Caller insists on strict secrecy — do not tell your bank or family
- Transfer to a 'Europol officer' or 'state prosecutor' during the same call
- Request to buy Bitcoin or withdraw cash for a visiting 'plainclothes officer'
- Czech Policie ČR never calls asking for money transfers
How to protect yourself
- Hang up and call Policie ČR at 158 from a different phone to verify the claim
- Never transfer CZK or purchase crypto on the instruction of a phone caller
- Discuss the call with a trusted family member before taking any action
- Report to NÚKIB at nukib.cz and to Policie ČR
- Alert elderly relatives about police impersonation tactics
- Set daily transfer limits on your Czech online banking account
How to report it
- Call Policie ČR at 158 to report the impersonation
- Report to NÚKIB at nukib.cz/cs/pomoc/oznameni
- File a trestní oznámení at policie.cz or in person at the nearest station
Frequently asked questions
Will Czech police ever call and ask for a bank transfer?
No. Policie ČR has no mechanism for requesting civilian bank transfers as part of any investigation. Such a request is always fraudulent.