Only two days before New Year’s Eve, nearly thirty people reported fraud regarding so-called virtual accommodation to the Zakopane police headquarters. One of the defrauded people, leaving the police station after such a report, was again fooled by fraudsters – said the spokesman for the Zakopane police, Asst. staff. Roman Wieczorek.
As the spokesman added, even in the pre-Christmas period there were incidental reports from people who were defrauded on the so-called virtual accommodations, and the statistics from the last days of the old year recorded nearly 30 such reports.
Unverified accommodation ads
– In two days it’s really a lot. Once again, the same situation occurs – free advertising portals, unverified advertisements, tourists leaving the decision on accommodation until the last minute, which results in disappointment after arriving in Zakopane when it turns out that the accommodation does not exist at all. Then there is a nervous search for the next place. One lady was deceived twice in this way – said Asp. staff. Roman Wieczorek.
According to the police report, the tourist found an attractive accommodation offer, but when she arrived in Zakopane it turned out that there was no accommodation. She filed an appropriate report with the police, and when leaving the police station, she made another transfer for booking accommodation in a non-existent facility.
Police warning
Every year before the Christmas and New Year period, the police warn against online fraudsters. Each advertisement should be verified, including the name and surname of the bidder, the address of the facility, website, telephone number and bank account number. The provided parabank account number should immediately arouse suspicion.
Main photo source: Łukasz Gągulski/PAP