Was it a misunderstanding or I was set up for extortion?

Hello. I am a 66 year old woman. I was in Krakow by myself for dental care and I think I was attacked in a scam involving my car and another car. I don't understand Polish so that is why I'm not sure what was being said.

This is what happened. I was driving around looking for an ATM and I saw one so I pulled into the drive by the bank and parked about 6 cars down from the ATM. I saw a group of four young men hanging out there sitting on the back of a bench and every time someone went to the ATM they watched them. I decided to wait until they left before I went because the traffic was heavy and I didn't want to be back out in it searching again.

I waited about 15 minutes. One of them must have seen me looking that way (?) and walked down the road and looked at me and then went back. In a while, an older man, that had joined them, along with one of them, walked past me and around the corner and I thought, finally they are gone. But they weren't, but I didn't know that. I walked up to the machine, took out the money and walked back to my car.

In less than a minute this guy in a small truck pulled up in front of me and I couldn't pull out. I had started to pull out and he tried to back into the already very small space I was still in; I have to say I was mad because it was so stupid. All he had to do was back up 10 feet, let me out, and pull in. And there were other spaces available.

About that time 3-4 of the men who had been hanging around in front of the bank ran down the street and started yelling at me in Polish trying to tell me something. Meanwhile, I backed my car up as I was sure he was going to hit my car. I hit the edge of his rear view mirror, the kind that folds back, and it folded. The older man was livid and stuck his head close to me screaming; it wasn't even his car; the guy in the truck joined them. I tried to tell them the mirror wasn't damaged, just folded but they didn't speak English. They were very frightening and I had no idea what was happening. I said I was going to call the police and one of the boys made as if to dial on his cell. But, I didn't know if he was calling the police or someone who was part of their gang.

I tried to pull out but they blocked my car; one of them reached in my window and actually slugged me in the face and the other one tried to open the passenger side door but it was locked thank goodness. I rolled up the window and the guy that assaulted me hammered on the top of my car. All I could think was to get away. I was sceaming I was so scared. I moved the car forward a little at a time with them trying to stop me and when I saw a chance I went forward and down the drive to the main road with them running after me. I don't know if they followed me or even had cars. I was still shaking hours later.

Maybe I should have stayed but after one of them punched me I had to get out of there because I was terrifed. I don't know if I should report this to the police by letter. I'm not exactly sure of the location. I know the bank name. I'm afraid they will lie and it could turn into a terrible mess. I wasn't driving my own car, but a friend's with a German plate.

I don't want my friend to get into trouble and I don't know if they have the German plate number. Of course if they are criminals they are not going to report this. Should I do anything? My theory is that they were planning to blame me for some damage to the guy's car and extort money out of me because of course they had seen me go to the ATM.

Of course things like fake accidents happen in the states but I've never heard of someone slugging the driver, esp an older woman and trying to damage their car by pounding on it. It seems that would not help their story that they were innocent bystanders. That was when I decided I'd better run for my life. Should I do anything or just try to get over it and learn from it?

I would report this to the American Embassy and the police.
Someone has to hear about this. It will make you feel better in a way that you got back at them and maybe it will make others aware of what's going on. Don't let it slide by, they should not get away with it.

So, Krysia, does this sound like it was a scam? I was afraid I did something wrong or didn't understand something. Once the guy belted me in the face I realized no matter what I was in over my head and had to leave. But, now I have nightmares that the police are looking for me and that they said I damaged his car and ran away.

Good advice.

suzannabanana you were assaulted. Report it.

It does sound like a scam indeed. Good for you that you didn't get out the car, that was a sensible move. I doubt the police are looking for you. More likely they are looking for a gang who are scamming money out of people and you might be able to provide them with a better idea of who they are looking for.

Yes it does! If not something more sinister.

When I think about it, if my car door had not been locked he would have reached in and grabbed my purse, which was on the passenger's seat, with my passport and credit cards and cash. I had just gotten a lot of cash because I had to pay my bill at the hotel and they don't take credit cards. I should have listened to my instincts and left; I was about to when they seemed to be leaving when they walked around the corner. I guess they checked out my car, saw it was German, and figured I would be a better target for robbery.

^^^ yup.

sounds to me they are some organised gang targetting vulnerable people who use that cashpoint. they tried to block you in your car, scare you and intimidate you, bully you into giving them your money. why do you think you got punched, cos of a 'misunderstanding'? you're lucky to have escaped safe and sound. you can let the police know about their activity around that area, if those guys still hang out there chances are police might question them, especially if you recognise them, but it's entirely up to you!