Prison for Selling Fake Work Invitations in Poland

In 2015, prosecutors in Łódź uncovered one of the largest fake work-invitation schemes on record at the time: a case that could ultimately have touched as many as 800 Ukrainian nationals. Here’s that story, and what the criminal liability actually looks like today, in 2026.

– The 2015 Łódź case: up to 800 people and fake invitations
– Criminal liability in 2026
– Why this matters for victims too, not just organizers
– How not to become the next victim
– FAQ

The 2015 Łódź case: up to 800 people and fake invitations

Customs officers in Łódź detained four people suspected of organizing illegal border crossings by Ukrainian nationals. According to border guard officials, the Ukrainians had paid for “services” registering fictitious declarations of intent to entrust work, what people commonly call “work invitations.” Based on those declarations, they were able to obtain visas at Polish consulates in Ukraine without any trouble, even though the jobs listed in the paperwork never actually existed. Scammers charged anywhere from around $10 to a few hundred zlotys per visa.

The investigation found that the 57-year-old defendant had registered more than 700 declarations in Łódź, plus several dozen more at other district offices across the region, using both his own company and fictitious shell companies. He was charged with organizing illegal border crossing; three accomplices were charged with aiding the offence. Prosecutors estimated the case could ultimately involve around 800 Ukrainian nationals, of whom roughly 100 had already crossed into Poland by that point.

Criminal liability in 2026

Running a scheme like this today is prosecuted under the same provision as in 2015: Art. 264 §3 of the Polish Criminal Code (Kodeks karny): organizing illegal crossing of the Polish border. The base penalty is still imprisonment from 6 months to 8 years, the same ceiling that applied back in the 2015 case. There is, however, one important difference: following amendments in 2023-2024, aggravated variants were introduced. If the organizer acted for financial gain (which is almost always true, since scammers charge per declaration) or the conduct endangered someone’s life or health, the maximum penalty rises to 12 years.

It’s worth remembering the whole scam is only possible because the underlying declaration is free for the foreigner (the only official fee, 400 zł since December 1, 2025, is paid by the employer). For a full breakdown of why you can’t legally “buy” a declaration, and how to spot a shell company selling one, see our companion article: “Fake Work Invitation Scams in Poland”.

Why this matters for victims too, not just organizers

Formally, the buyer of a fake declaration doesn’t commit the same offence as the organizer of the scheme (Art. 264 §3 specifically targets organizing illegal crossing for other people). But that doesn’t mean the story ends well for the victim:

• Using a knowingly fictitious document to obtain a visa can lead to entry refusal or visa cancellation.
• You can end up on the list of undesirable foreigners, with an entry ban for Poland (and often Schengen) lasting several years.
• On any future attempt to legalize your stay, Polish authorities may discover that the “job” listed on your old declaration never existed, which can complicate getting a residence card or work permit down the line.

How not to become the next victim

• Check the company whose name is on the declaration in the KRS/CEIDG registers and confirm it actually operates (website, reviews, a real office) rather than existing only on paper.
• Remember: a real employer never asks you to pay for the declaration form itself, only for genuinely agreed wages and, where relevant, transparently-contracted relocation services.
• Verify the declaration was actually entered in the declaration register (ewidencja oświadczeń) via praca.gov.pl or directly at the district labour office.
• The State Labour Inspectorate (PIP) reform, in force since July 8, 2026, has strengthened scrutiny of the real substance of employment relationships in Poland generally, which indirectly makes life harder for the shell companies that have historically been the main tool behind these schemes.

FAQ

Are the numbers from the 2015 case still accurate today? No, that’s purely a historical example used to illustrate the mechanism. The current fine amounts, the filing procedure (electronic-only, via praca.gov.pl since June 1, 2025) and the list of countries covered by the simplified procedure (Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine since December 1, 2025) have all since changed. See our companion article “Fake Work Invitation Scams in Poland” for the full picture.

How many years can someone get today for organizing a fake-invitation scheme? 6 months to 8 years under Art. 264 §3 of the Criminal Code, rising to up to 12 years for aggravated circumstances (financial gain, endangering life or health). Separately, simply demanding money from a foreigner for help with work-related paperwork now carries its own fine of 6,000-50,000 zł under a 2025 law.

Can the buyer of a fake invitation face criminal charges too? Not under Art. 264 §3: that provision targets the organizers of the scheme. But using a fictitious document can carry administrative consequences: entry refusal, visa cancellation, or being listed as an undesirable foreigner.

Bibliography and Legal Basis

• Act of March 20, 2025 on the admissibility of entrusting work to foreigners in the territory of the Republic of Poland (Dz.U. 2025 poz. 621), Art. 84
• Art. 264 §3 and §4 of the Criminal Code (Kodeks karny)
• PIP 2026 reform materials (internal legal_knowledge_base)
• “Fake Work Invitation Scams in Poland”, a full breakdown of the scam mechanism (MojaFirma)

Author: Moja Firma business incubator team.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you’ve encountered an offer like this, or have already lost money to a scam, feel free to book a free consultation with our team.