Czech National Bank warns fake 'investment voucher' emails from cnb@podatelna.net promise to double money
Expats.cz reported on 20 October 2026 that the Czech National Bank (CNB) warned in a statement on Monday of fraudulent emails claiming to offer a joint CNB and government programme of 'investment vouchers' that would…
- First reported
- Reports
- 1
Source: expats.cz · published
What happened
Expats.cz reported on 20 October 2026 that the Czech National Bank (CNB) warned in a statement on Monday of fraudulent emails claiming to offer a joint CNB and government programme of 'investment vouchers' that would double people's deposits, with seniors in particular being targeted. The CNB identified the sender address cnb@podatelna.net as fraudulent and said no such programme exists; the CNB is not involved. People who have been affected are advised to contact the police and their bank.
How the scam works
According to Expats.cz, the emails present an opportunity to buy so-called investment vouchers and claim that participants can double their initial deposits through a programme supposedly run jointly by the central bank and the Czech government. The CNB said in its statement that it "does not offer any such investment program or investment vouchers", and that neither the sender address nor the offer has any connection to it. The CNB is a central bank and regulator; it does not sell investments to the public.
Authorities recommend ignoring the offer and not sharing bank account details, passwords or other sensitive information. People who have already replied, transferred money or disclosed personal information are advised to contact the Czech police, and anyone who shared banking credentials should contact their bank promptly to secure their accounts.
The warning follows a similar CNB alert on 13 October about emails impersonating CzechInvest, the state investment promotion agency, which offered supposed cryptocurrency returns and included forged documents claiming CzechInvest was licensed or regulated by the central bank. Expats.cz reports, citing the Czech Banking Association, that fraudsters stole CZK 1.9 billion from bank customers in the first seven months of 2026, up 79% on a year earlier. The CNB advises checking whether a financial firm is authorised in its official registers and treating unsolicited offers of exceptionally high or guaranteed returns with caution.
Source
Expats.cz, "Czech central bank warns of fake investment scheme using its name" (published 20 October 2026).
Red flags
- An email offering to double your money through a government or central bank programme.
- 'Investment vouchers' sold by email.
- A sender address that isn't on the CNB's own domain (cnb.cz).
- Guaranteed or exceptionally high returns.
- Official-looking certificates or documents attached to an investment offer.
If you were targeted
- 1Don't reply, send money or share bank details.
- 2Check any financial firm in the CNB's official registers.
- 3If you sent money or shared information, contact the Czech police.
- 4If you shared banking credentials, call your bank to secure your accounts.
- 5Warn older relatives, who are particularly targeted.