Fake Recruiter Scams in Poland
Bogus job offers on Polish portals and LinkedIn extract PESEL numbers, identity documents and fees from job-seekers under the guise of international employment screening.
Part of: Fake Recruiters
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake recruiter fraud is a growing problem in Poland, exploiting high aspirations for well-paying foreign or multinational employment. Fraudsters post vacancies on Pracuj.pl, OLX and LinkedIn impersonating well-known Polish or multinational employers, then conduct elaborate fake recruitment processes to harvest PESEL identity numbers and identity-document copies.
The Polish Office of Personal Data Protection (UODO) has warned that data collected through fake recruitment processes is sold on dark-web markets and used for identity-based loan fraud, with victims sometimes discovering fraudulent loans taken out in their name months after the original contact.
How this scam works on Poland
Victims receive messages congratulating them on being shortlisted for a high-salary position, often described as a 'home-office project coordinator' or 'international sales specialist'. Interviews are conducted by video call and appear professional.
After the 'offer', the victim is asked to complete onboarding documentation requiring PESEL, a copy of their dowód osobisty (national ID) and bank account details for salary payment — all of which are then exploited. Some schemes additionally charge a 'rejestracja w systemie kadrowym' (HR system registration) fee.
In Poland, fraudulent foreign-employment agencies targeting candidates for jobs in Germany, the Netherlands or UK have charged significant fees for visa processing, accommodation and transport that do not materialise.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited job offer for an unusually well-paid position you did not apply for
- Employer email uses a free-mail domain or a misspelled corporate domain
- Request for PESEL, ID document copies or bank details before a formal contract
- Fee charged for HR registration, visa processing or work permit paperwork
- Interview conducted entirely by text message or with poor video quality
- No verifiable company address or KRS registration in Poland
How to protect yourself
- Verify any employer in the KRS (National Court Register) at ekrs.ms.gov.pl
- Call the company's official switchboard to confirm the recruiter is employed there
- Never pay fees of any kind before starting a job
- Limit personal data shared until a formal contract is signed
- Report fake job ads to UODO if personal data has been compromised
How to report it
- UODO (data protection): uodo.gov.pl — report identity-data theft
- Policja: policja.pl — report recruitment fraud
- PIP (National Labour Inspectorate): pip.gov.pl — report illegal labour practices
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if a Polish recruiter asked for my PESEL for a job that turned out to be fake?
Report the incident to UODO and Policja immediately. Contact BIK (Biuro Informacji Kredytowej) to set a credit freeze on your PESEL to prevent fraudulent loans being taken out in your name.