The destruction caused by the elements is not the only problem caused by the floods that hit southern Poland. After the disaster, numerous criminals appeared, ready to use the human tragedy for their own benefit. Some of them commit looting, others set up fake collections online money for flood victims.
Looters in flood areas. Police conduct night patrols
To counteract looting, night patrols are being carried out in areas devastated by floods. A recording of one of them was published by officers from the Prevention Department Police in Poznań. Police officers drive through the streets of destroyed Stronie Śląskie in an off-road vehicle and illuminate the area with a strong aircraft searchlight, the range of which reaches up to eight kilometers.
On Thursday (September 19), the District Court in Kłodzko issued its first verdict in the case of looting in flood areas. The perpetrator, accused of stealing alcohol and mineral water from a store in Lądek-Zdrój, was sentenced to six months of imprisonment – informed in a press release. Mariusz Pindera, spokesman Świdnica District Prosecutor's Office.
On Saturday (September 21), the Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk He also reported that Damian S., who stole in Bolesławiec two submersible pumps worth PLN 1,400, was sentenced in an accelerated procedure to eight months of unconditional imprisonment. Eryk Kielak wrote more about cases of looting in the flood-affected areas in the following article:
Army Engages in Fight Against Fake Fundraisers: 'They Prey on Human Empathy'
The Cyberspace Defense Forces announced the launch of a special task force, which aims to “locate and expose cybercriminals who prey on human empathy and willingness to help.” Its tasks include 24-hour monitoring of cyberspace, detecting and blocking fake fundraisers, and exposing criminals. Army further reminds that suspicious collections can be reported to the police at the following e-mail address: kontakt.cbzc@cbzc.policja.gov.pl.
Police officers from the Central Police Headquarters are involved in verifying collections for flood victims. Offices Combating Cybercrime. In an interview with Polish Radio 24 Insp. Katarzyna Nowak, spokeswoman for the Chief Police Commander, appealed to avoid unverified collections and use only those that are verified. Their list can be found on the Public Collections Portal run by the Ministry of Interior and Administration: zbiorki.gov.pl.