Use your common sense!

Alright, let’s talk about the absolute nerve of some people. A 29-year-old woman from Poznań was just trying to book a cozy spot in Wrocław for the Christmas holidays through OLX, right? Sounds simple enough. She drops 400 zł to lock it down, thinking she’s sorted. But guess what? The so-called “host” took the cash and straight-up ghosted her. No messages. No refund. Nothing but stress and frustration.

Not a one off!

This isn’t just a one-off, either. Scams like this are creeping all over OLX and similar platforms. It’s the same old play: they dangle a too-good-to-be-true deal, grab your money, and vanish faster than your New Year’s resolutions.

And look, the cops are on it. They’ve opened an investigation into this case, but honestly, even if they catch this clown (which they probably won’t), it’s too late for the victim to get her cash back or salvage her holiday plans.

So what can you do to stay safe?

• Stick to trusted platforms: If you’re booking a place, use well-known services dedicated to accommodations, like Airbnb or Booking.com.
• Check reviews and ratings: If a listing looks sketchy or has no history, walk away.
• Never pay outside the platform: Legit sites have secure payment systems. Anyone asking for a direct bank transfer? Red flag.
• Trust your gut: If the deal seems way too sweet, it’s probably sour.

Let’s be real—scammers don’t deserve a single zloty of your hard-earned cash. Stay smart, stay sharp, and let’s make it harder for these fraudsters to operate.