Czech central bank warns of fake investment scheme using its name

The Czech National Bank (ČNB) has issued a warning about a fraudulent investment scheme that uses its name and that of the Czech government to lure people into transferring money. The scam, which particularly targets seniors, promises to double participants' investments through supposed government-backed investment vouchers.

In a statement published Monday, Oct. 19, the central bank said the emails falsely suggest that the institution and the Czech government jointly operate an investment program offering unusually high returns.

The bank stressed that no such program exists and urged recipients not to respond, transfer money or disclose personal or banking information.

The scam is distributed through emails presenting an opportunity to purchase so-called investment vouchers. The messages claim that participants can double their initial deposits through a program supposedly administered by the central bank and the Czech government.

The ČNB specifically identified the email address cnb@podatelna.net as fraudulent, confirming that neither the address nor the investment offer has any connection to the institution.

"The ČNB does not offer any such investment program or investment vouchers," the central bank said.

Authorities recommend that anyone receiving the offer ignore it and avoid sharing bank account details, passwords or other sensitive information.

Those who have already responded to the messages, transferred funds or disclosed personal information are advised to contact the Czech police. Anyone who has shared banking credentials should also contact their bank promptly to secure their accounts.

The latest warning follows a similar alert issued on Oct. 13 about fraudulent emails impersonating CzechInvest, the state investment promotion agency.

Those messages involved supposed cryptocurrency investment returns and included forged documents claiming that CzechInvest was licensed or regulated by the central bank.

The warning comes amid a sharp increase in financial cybercrime across Czechia.

According to figures from the Czech Banking Association, fraudsters stole CZK 1.9 billion from bank customers during the first seven months of 2026, an increase of 79 percent compared with the same period last year.

The average loss per affected customer reached CZK 30,335, approximately CZK 10,000 more than a year earlier. The number of recorded attacks also increased, reaching more than 62,700 incidents between January and July.

Fraudulent investment offers are among the most financially damaging forms of cybercrime, often promising unrealistic returns while using the identities of trusted institutions to establish credibility.

The central bank has repeatedly warned that fraudsters use forged certificates, official-looking websites and misleading communications to convince potential victims that an investment opportunity is legitimate.

Consumers can verify whether financial service providers are authorized to operate in Czechia through the ČNB's official registers.

The bank advises the public to remain cautious about unsolicited investment offers, particularly those promising exceptionally high or guaranteed returns.