Commissioner for Human Rights

On 9 June 2025, the Office of the CHR hosted a conference entitled ‘The need to increase protection for older people against fraud’. The aim of the conference was to show the scale and nature of fraud targeting older people, draw attention to systemic solutions to improve their protection, and provide recommendations on what to do if they become victims of such a crime.

Barbara Imiołczyk, director of the BRPO Social Projects Centre, welcomed the participants. She emphasised that the aim of the conference was to identify situations that require particular caution and how to act when harm has already occurred.
Dr Piotr Zakrzewski from the Criminal Law Department of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights introduced the conference. He said that older people are more trusting due to their upbringing and, because of their kindness, they are easier to mislead.
‘How do cybercriminals operate? Social engineering and ways to recognise threats’ - a presentation on this topic was given by Beata Frankiewicz, a specialist in building cybersecurity awareness from the Cybersecurity Knowledge Management Team at the Research and Academic Computer Network - National Research Institute (NASK).
The expert began her presentation by pointing out that the number of cybersecurity incidents is growing every year – in 2024, there were approximately 103,000 such incidents, the vast majority of which were cases of online fraud.
Deputy Inspector Jacek Rybicki, an expert from the Social Prevention Department of the Prevention Bureau of the National Police Headquarters, spoke in his presentation about real cases of ‘legend’ crimes. He presented stories about telephone scams, in which fraudsters impersonated bank employees, fake text messages and emails, as well as investment and ‘romantic’ scams – i.e. those in which criminals try to establish an intimate relationship with the victim via the internet and then, under the pretext of personal problems, persuade them to transfer money. 
Dawid Rapkiewicz, Director of the Banking and Capital Market Customer Department at the Financial Ombudsman's Office, described the possibilities for action on behalf of victims. He reported that one-fifth of the cases referred to the Ombudsman are related to broadly understood cyber fraud or financial fraud. That is why this meeting and education are so important, he said. The Financial Ombudsman undertakes extensive educational activities for seniors. Educational materials are available on the website. The Financial Ombudsman also provides advice by email. 
The event was translated into Polish Sign Language and recorded.

https://bip.brpo.gov.pl/pl/content/rpo-konferencja-seniorzy-ochrona-przed-oszustwami