A Belarusian woman living in Poland for more than three years has continued to support fellow countrymen in need despite being twice deceived by people who solicited her help, according to her account. She says the episodes taught her to be more cautious but did not shake her belief that many expatriates genuinely require assistance.
The first case, which began after she responded to a social media post from a former political prisoner, lasted about a year. The woman, who asked to be identified only as Maryna, said the man — identified in her account as Ivan — messaged her to ask for small sums to cover food, travel passes and household expenses. The amounts typically ranged from 50 to 200 zlotys.
Maryna said Ivan usually repaid the sums, sometimes after a delay. Over time, however, the requests became more frequent and varied. Once he asked for money for a date and for New Year provisions, urging her to send cash while a local supermarket remained open. Eventually Maryna discovered the man had an addiction and chose to stop responding. The communications ceased.
The second episode took place in 2025 after Maryna answered a plea for help from another Belarusian, identified as Mikhail. She transferred funds using BLIK, a mobile payment system that reveals the sender’s phone number to the recipient. Two days later Mikhail called to thank her and promptly asked for another 25 zlotys.
Maryna said the calls continued and that Mikhail supplied a series of changing explanations for the money, including being in a refugee camp in Germany where he allegedly received only condoms and needed money for basic supplies, and later for a friend in hospital. When she declined, he would often hang up. She blocked his number, but he called from others. In some cases other donors reported being asked for much larger amounts — in the hundreds or thousands of zlotys.
Belarusian emigrant support
Both episodes highlighted vulnerabilities in diasporic support networks. Small, repeated transfers can be hard to track, and mobile payment systems such as BLIK can expose donors to follow-up contact. Maryna said what irked her most was the informal tone and late-night calls, as though the callers presumed a prior friendship.
Despite her disappointments, Maryna told the local press she will continue to help Belarusians in need, but with greater care. She now prefers to make donations through verified platforms and to give anonymously when possible. “It’s a shame that because of such stories, some people might become disillusioned and stop helping altogether,” she said.
Advocates for refugee and migrant assistance note that such caution can be sensible. Verifying requests, using established charities or community organisations, and avoiding sharing personal contact details can reduce the risk of exploitation. At the same time, grassroots assistance remains vital for vulnerable individuals who fall outside formal support systems.
Maryna’s experience underscores a broader challenge facing emigrant communities: sustaining mutual aid while protecting donors and recipients alike. Her choice to continue offering help, albeit more cautiously, reflects a determination to balance compassion with prudence.
Key Takeaways:
- A Belarusian woman living in Poland continued to aid compatriots after being deceived twice by requests for money.
- She sent funds to two men — one who repeatedly borrowed small sums, another who exploited BLIK payments to contact donors.
- The experiences prompted her to shift to verified, anonymous channels while maintaining trust in those genuinely in need.
- The case highlights risks for diaspora support networks and the need for safer donation practices.
