A large-scale scheme is being investigated in Poland, through which more than 11,400 false applications for the employment of foreigners were registered via 130 dummy companies. According to the investigation, these applications were used to issue work visas and cross the border, but no actual vacancies followed them. According to specialists, the main risk group remains Ukrainians looking for work in Poland. The scheme involves creating the appearance of legal employment: a person receives documents based on which they enter the country, but upon arrival discovers that the employer and the workplace do not exist.
How the Scheme Works and Why It Is Dangerous
The mechanics of the fraud are based on the formal issuing of an invitation from an employer. A dummy company submits an application of intent to hire a foreign worker, on the basis of which the applicant receives a work visa and crosses the border. However, upon arrival, it turns out that the vacancy does not exist, and the employer is a fictional structure. For the victim, this means losing money spent on intermediaries and paperwork, as well as a lack of legal employment. In addition, documents from a dummy employer do not confirm the legality of employment, which can significantly complicate obtaining or extending a temporary residence permit in Poland.
What Experts Advise Checking Before Departure
Specialists from the Gremi Personal agency recommend checking three key elements before leaving for Poland: the draft employment contract, the specific workplace, and information on who exactly will pay the salary. If the intermediary refuses to name the employer or offers to issue an invitation without a contract and without confirmation from the enterprise, this is a direct reason to reject the offer. Experts emphasize that a legal employer has no reason to hide their identity and working conditions.
Legal Consequences for the Victim and the Fraudster
If a person was unaware of the fraud and became a victim of scammers, they generally face no criminal punishment. However, material damage — lost money and lack of work — remains. The situation is completely different when a forged document is consciously used as genuine: Article 270 § 1 of the Polish Penal Code provides for imprisonment from three months to five years. In addition to criminal prosecution, a decision to refuse entry or a return order with a re-entry ban to the country is possible.
What to Do If the Fraud Is Discovered Already in Poland
If upon arrival it turns out that the vacancy does not exist, it is necessary to immediately save all evidence: correspondence with the intermediary, the original advertisement, copies of all provided documents, and proof of payment for services. Based on this, you should seek legal assistance to protect your rights and, if necessary, file a statement with law enforcement agencies. The earlier the evidence is recorded, the higher the chances of getting a refund and avoiding responsibility for using documents that were formally issued based on false data.
Context: Poland's Labor Market in 2026
The investigation of the scheme takes place against the backdrop of changing dynamics in the Polish labor market. In the second quarter of 2026, Polish companies became more restrained in hiring permanent staff, which increases competition for jobs and creates additional demand for "quick" employment solutions — precisely the demand that fraudulent schemes target. Ukrainian sole proprietors (JDG) in Poland may also face restrictions when hiring foreigners, making the verification of an employer's legality an even more urgent task for anyone planning labor migration to the country.
