In eastern Slovakia, scammers posing as police officers have become more active, specifically targeting vehicles with Ukrainian license plates. The criminals operate at night, mainly in border areas, fabricating fictitious violations and demanding large sums of cash “on the spot.”
Where are the criminals operating, and what is their modus operandi?
Warnings from affected drivers are spreading widely on social media and within Ukrainian communities in Slovakia. The scammers drive a dark-colored Audi A8 and target drivers in several towns: Hriadky, Dargov, Sečovce, Trhoviste, and Zalužice, near the Ukrainian border.
The scam usually plays out as follows:
Pursuit: The scammers’ car follows you at night, pretending to be a speed enforcement vehicle.
Stop: The criminals turn on their flashing lights and force the driver to stop.
Route Manipulation: The driver is ordered to roll down the window, say “Follow me,” and lure the vehicle into an unlit or deserted parking lot (for example, there have been known cases at the parking lot near the “Canada” bistro in the village of Hriadky).
Extortion: Once there, the fake police officers claim the driver was speeding (for example, by 27 km/h in a village or 32 km/h outside of one), threaten to revoke the driver’s license entirely, and then demand a bribe of 600 euros—an amount they may negotiate or reduce—and, once they’ve taken the cash, quickly flee.
According to eyewitnesses, several Ukrainian drivers have already fallen victim to this scheme; however, many people, out of fear or ignorance of the law, do not seek help from law enforcement.
How can you protect yourself, and where should you turn?
The Slovak police are already aware of this group’s activities and are gathering evidence of their crimes, but drivers are urged to exercise the utmost caution. If you find yourself in a similar situation or witness a suspicious traffic stop:
Do not drive into dark areas: If you are stopped on an unlit stretch of road, turn on your hazard lights and drive to the nearest crowded and well-lit location (a gas station, a well-lit intersection).
Ask to see their official ID: Genuine police officers are always prepared to present an official ID and badge.
Call 158 immediately: If you have even the slightest doubt about the legitimacy of the stop, immediately dial the Slovak police emergency number (158) and inform the operator of the situation and your suspicions.
The editorial team urges you to share this information with friends and acquaintances who frequently travel to Ukraine or cross the border, to protect them from scammers.
