Czech Police Warn Expats of Financial Scams and Frauds in the Czech Republic

Expats Fall Victim to Surge in Financial Scams and Frauds

In the heart of Europe, Prague, Czech Republic, has witnessed an alarming trend in financial scams and frauds targeting expats. Scammers have been impersonating the Czech police, Finanční úřad (Tax Office), and Czech Post to extort sensitive information from unsuspecting expats.

Common Scams and Experiences

One common scam involves a recorded phone call from a number masquerading as the Czech police, announcing that the expat’s identity has been linked to money laundering and an arrest warrant has been issued. Krystel, an expat in Prague, shared her story with Expats.cz:

The message was in English, and the voice on the other end sounded authentic, but something didn’t feel right.

She visited the Czech police station to check on her ID, but soon discovered the number was fake.

Other expats have reported similar experiences, with callers posing as the Czech Tax Office offering generous tax refunds. Kylie, an expat resident, spoke to Expats.cz:

She received a text message and a voicemail, both in Czech, stating she was owed a CZK 30,000 rebate. Upon suspecting foul play, she contacted the real Tax Office.

Global Connections of Scams

According to Ondřej Moravčík, head of press at the Czech police:

The impersonation of Czech police is merely a coincidence. These fraudulent campaigns are not limited to foreigners in the Czech Republic but target all EU citizens.

Preventative Measures and Reporting

Expats.cz advises all foreigners in the Czech Republic to:

-NEVER share personal information like their rodné číslo or bank details if contacted by unsolicited calls, messages, or emails -REMEMBER that the Czech police and the Czech Tax Office do not use recorded messages or send unsolicited links or SMS messages -CONTACT their local police station if they suspect fraud.

Stay Cautious and Informed

In conclusion, expats residing in the Czech Republic must exercise caution when encountering unsolicited communications, especially those claiming to be from the Czech police, Finanční úřad, or Czech Post. For verification, expats should contact the corresponding authorities using established and independently obtained contact information.

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