Cybercrime is on the rise in the Czech Republic, with investigators handling over 14,000 cases in the first seven months of 2026. This figure represents an increase of approximately 2,000 cases compared to the same period last year. Notably, more than two-thirds of these cases involve fraudulent activities, primarily through impersonation of police officers or bank employees.

Criminals are increasingly exploiting personal data from employees of various agencies, including the National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB). Luboš Fendrych, head of the Science, Research, and Innovation Department at NÚKIB, shared his experience of receiving numerous calls from unknown numbers, where callers sought to confirm whether they had spoken to him and requested money transfers to a 'safe account.'

Despite NÚKIB removing his contact information from their website, the scammers continued their efforts, leading victims to the agency's office under false pretenses. Many victims were shocked to discover they had been scammed, with some losing hundreds of thousands of koruna.

Jakub Neščivera, a spokesperson for NÚKIB, emphasized that legitimate agencies like the police or NÚKIB will never ask citizens to transfer money to a so-called 'safe account.' The methods of deception are evolving, with scammers adapting their tactics throughout the year. During the summer, for instance, there have been reports of scams involving fake notifications from authorities like the Czech Police or Customs Agency, claiming individuals had violated laws and needed to pay fines.

Additionally, scammers are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence to create fake documents, videos, and audio recordings that appear authentic. As a result, the number of victims continues to rise, with bank customers suffering losses exceeding one billion koruna annually. Radek Šalša, a spokesperson for the Czech Banking Association, noted that the trend shows a 10% annual increase in scam incidents, with potential damages doubling this year compared to last.

Online visa scams are also a concern, with fraudsters targeting fake websites that advertise assistance in applying for visas or electronic registrations for countries requiring such procedures. Since April last year, the UK has been among these countries, with initial fees for applications increasing significantly. Many individuals, due to a lack of vigilance, end up paying far more than necessary.

Legal expert Barbara Nácovská warned that while not all high-fee services are fraudulent, a lack of transparency in pricing is a sign of unfair business practices. The British Embassy in Prague has received numerous reports regarding these scams and advises citizens to use official websites only. Experts recommend caution with intermediaries, even for countries that require free registrations.