A 23-year-old man in Poland is facing a potentially lengthy prison sentence after allegedly placing hundreds of fake food orders in the names of unsuspecting people, including one extraordinary order for around 300 pizzas.
The alleged prank has sparked a police investigation after restaurants reportedly suffered significant financial losses from pizzas that had been ordered but was never paid for.
Authorities in Poland say the suspect could face up to eight years in prison if convicted of the offences under investigation.
Police arrest suspect over fake food orders
The man was arrested at his home in Szczecin following an investigation involving Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime and officers from the city’s municipal police.
Investigators allege that the suspect used the names and personal details of other people to place pizza orders that were supposed to be paid for upon delivery.
The unsuspecting recipients were then faced with deliveries they had never requested.
Restaurants were also left dealing with the consequences, as they had already prepared or attempted to prepare large quantities of pizza without receiving payment.
Police said the alleged incidents were not limited to Szczecin. Investigators believe similar orders were placed in other Polish cities, including Warsaw, Kraków and Wrocław.
One shocking order involved 300 pizzas
Among the most unusual incidents investigated by police was an order for approximately 300 pizzas.
The massive order was reportedly worth around €8,583, making it one of the largest fake food orders uncovered during the investigation.
The sheer size of the order meant that some restaurants reportedly rejected it because they could not prepare such a large quantity of pizzas within the requested timeframe.
The alleged prank therefore went far beyond an ordinary joke between friends, with businesses potentially losing money and victims being subjected to unwanted deliveries.
Authorities are now examining the full extent of the alleged activity.
Politicians allegedly among the targets
According to investigators, the suspect allegedly used the names of several people, including politicians, when placing food orders.
Police also said some of the orders contained detailed personal information about the people who were supposed to receive the deliveries.
Investigators believe some of the information may have been known only to the victims themselves or people within their immediate circles.
This has raised concerns that the incidents could have involved more than simple online pranks.
Some delivery instructions allegedly included disturbing references involving a child, a notary’s office and a road accident.
These details reportedly caused some victims to feel harassed or threatened.
Investigation expands beyond prank deliveries
What initially appeared to be a series of fake food orders has developed into a wider investigation involving allegations of harassment, identity-related offences and financial damage.
Police are attempting to establish how the suspect allegedly obtained the personal information used in the orders and how many victims and businesses were affected.
The investigation could also determine whether other people were involved in the alleged scheme.
Authorities have not publicly released the suspect’s name.
Electronic devices seized
During the operation at the suspect’s home, police reportedly seized electronic devices and data-storage equipment.
Investigators believe the equipment may contain evidence showing how the alleged orders were placed and what information was used to identify the intended recipients.
Digital evidence could play an important role as authorities attempt to reconstruct the alleged activity and determine the scale of the operation.
The suspect has reportedly been placed in pre-trial detention for two months while the investigation continues.
His detention does not mean he has been found guilty.
Suspect faces up to eight years in prison
If convicted of the offences under investigation, the 23-year-old could face a prison sentence of up to eight years.
However, the allegations have not yet been tested in court, and the suspect remains legally presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case highlights how seemingly harmless online pranks can potentially create serious consequences when they involve businesses, personal information and unsuspecting members of the public.
Ordering food for someone else as a joke may appear amusing at first, but large-scale fake orders can result in financial losses for restaurants, wasted food and distress for those targeted.
The alleged 300-pizza order demonstrates just how costly such activity can become.
As investigators continue examining the evidence, authorities will seek to determine the full scale of the alleged scheme and whether additional charges or suspects could emerge.
For now, the case serves as a striking reminder that online activity can have real-world consequences, particularly when false identities, personal information and financial losses are involved.
More information about Poland’s police and cybercrime investigations is available through the official Polish Police website.
