Massive ATM Heist in Poland: Over $600,000 Stolen from Santander Bank Accounts

Poland is facing one of its largest ATM-related financial crimes in years.

Nearly 500 people across the country have lost money from their bank accounts due to a sophisticated skimming attack that copied their payment card data. The District Prosecutor’s Office in Bydgoszcz is leading the investigation, confirming that thieves managed to steal more than 2.2 million Polish złoty (about $604,000 USD) from Santander Bank Polska clients.

Organized Gang Targets Dozens of ATMs Polish authorities have described the operation as a well-coordinated criminal scheme.

So far, nearly 200 official reports of unauthorized withdrawals have been filed, mainly in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Greater Poland regions. Investigators suspect the criminals installed skimming devices on ATMs located at several Santander branches — at least two of them in Bydgoszcz. “All indications point to a classic skimming attack — theft of card data from the magnetic stripe and its use for unauthorized withdrawals across the country,”

said Marcin Zagórski from the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC). Zagórski added that, so far, no evidence suggests other banks were targeted, but the number of victims continues to rise.

Police are currently gathering evidence and analyzing surveillance footage from affected ATM locations.

Santander Responds: Blocked Cards and Automatic Refunds Santander Bank Polska confirmed it is cooperating closely with investigators and that all affected customers have been refunded automatically. The bank also blocked all cards that could have been compromised and warned clients to regularly check their accounts for suspicious transactions. In a statement, the bank emphasized that the incident was regional in scope and did not compromise the integrity of its banking systems or contactless transactions. “Customer safety is our absolute priority. We immediately implemented protective measures and compensated all verified losses,” a Santander spokesperson said.

How Skimming Works Criminals typically install special devices known as “skimmers” directly onto an ATM’s card reader. These devices capture data from the card’s magnetic stripe, which is then used to create cloned copies of the card. The duplicates are later used to withdraw cash or make fraudulent purchases, often before victims realize their money is gone.

Police Urge Citizens to Check Their Accounts Investigators are urging anyone who suspects they’ve been affected to contact the nearest police station immediately.

Authorities also recommend:

🔹 Inspecting the ATM’s card reader and keypad before use

🔹 Covering your hand when entering your PIN

🔹 Regularly reviewing your account statements According to prosecutor Agnieszka Adamska-Okońska from Bydgoszcz, the total loss is currently estimated at over 2.2 million PLN, but the number of victims may still increase as the investigation continues.

A Security Wake-Up Call for Europe The Polish case highlights how traditional financial crimes remain highly effective, even in an era dominated by digital payments.

Experts stress the importance of raising financial awareness and enhancing ATM security technology. While Polish authorities pursue the organized gang behind the attack, banks across Europe are watching closely to determine whether this could be part of a larger international network targeting other EU countries.

#poland , #cybercrime , #CyberSecurity , #fraud , #CryptoNews

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