Czech Police Warn Expats of Increasing Financial Scams: Money Laundering, Tax Rebates, and Postal Delivery
In recent weeks, hundreds of expats in the Czech Republic have fallen victim to various financial scams, leading to significant losses and distress. Here are some common types of scams and how to identify and protect yourself against them.
Money Laundering Scam
Expats received alarming messages and calls from numbers posing as the Czech police, informing them that their ID has been used for money laundering, and an arrest warrant is out for them. To speak to an officer, victims were asked to press “1.” These calls turn out to be scams once the recipients realize that the numbers are fake or the voices have obvious foreign accents.
Tax Rebate Scam
Impersonating the Czech Tax Office, scammers send voicemails or texts requesting personal information, such as rodné číslo (birth number) and bank details. Once sensitive information is provided, scammers swiftly empty the victim’s bank account.
Czech Post Scam
Czech Post scammers inform recipients of a pending package delivery or non-payment of customs fees. In both cases, victims are persuaded to click on a malicious link to provide their personal information. These messages are commonly sent as texts in Czech from Czech phone numbers but might come from various area codes.
Authorities’ Advice for Expats
The Czech police and relevant authorities are aware of the influx of such scams and urge expats to be cautious of unsolicited messages, especially those requesting personal information, and report any suspicious activity:
- The Financial Administration and Tax Office never use voicemail when calling and never send click-through links.
- Czech Post only sends SMS messages and emails in Czech regarding postal deliveries to those who have signed up for the service.
- Contact the supposed issuer of the message through their official website or other known channels if uncertain regarding its validity.
Share Your Experience or Seek Assistance
If you’ve encountered a suspicious message or call in the Czech Republic, share your experience in the comments below or contact Expats.cz for assistance.