A social media influencer reported a startling discrepancy in their bank account balance on February 20, 2026, sparking a brief online concern about potential fraud. The user claimed to have opened their banking app expecting a refund of 48 Polish złoty from a recent Glovo order, only to find a negative balance of -1,952,849,361.49 złoty.
“What did I accidentally buy? Orlen? Radom?? Did I accidentally call the Ministry of National Defence and finance a new frigate?” the influencer questioned in a post.
PKO BP Responds
Whereas previous incidents have seen PKO BP customers briefly reporting incorrect negative balances, the bank quickly clarified that this particular case was fabricated. PKO BP stated the image shared by the user was a fake and the reported scenario did not occur. “As a bank, we fight cybercriminals every day – recognizing deepfakes, manipulation and online ‘scams’ is part of our daily routine. If something looks suspicious… it usually is. And it’s worth taking a closer look,” the bank said in a statement.
The bank pointed out inconsistencies in the displayed amount, noting the unusual combination of a comma and a period, which is not standard practice in their online banking interface. “A classic sign of a quick edit – just to get clicks,” PKO BP added.
Staying Vigilant Against Online Deception
PKO BP used the incident as an opportunity to remind customers how to identify altered or fake images. “Look for inconsistencies: mixed number formats, different fonts, unnatural blurring, graphic elements that don’t match the original,” the bank advised.
The bank likewise emphasized the ease with which manipulated images can be created today. “Screenshots can be edited quickly, photos can be edited in free apps, and deepfakes of faces or voices can be created in minutes,” PKO BP stated.
Aleksandra Dąbrowska, reporter
