There’s a new scam going around the Netherlands, and this one is especially insidious because the scammers are pretending to be officials from the Supreme Court. They’re calling people and telling them they need to pay a fine, or they’ll be arrested.
This is a recent telephone fraud where scammers have stolen at least 1,7 million euros in under one year. In this scam, the fraudsters pose as members of the Dutch Supreme Court and manage to convince victims to make payments for fictitious court cases. They do this by cold calling targets and telling them they need to make a payment to avoid being taken to court.
This is a really nasty scam, and it’s been going on for a while now all over the Netherlands since August 2021. The scammers are targeting foreigners including expatriates in the Netherlands, because they’re seen as an easy target. They’re preying on people who may not be familiar with the legal system in the Netherlands, or who may not be able to speak the language. The scammers are very convincing, and they have all the right information.
So you will get a call from someone who says they’re from the Dutch Supreme Court or even police. They tell you that your BSN number has been used to commit a crime like, say, money laundering, and you’re under arrest. They then tell you that you need to pay a fine right away to avoid going to jail. Sometimes, they might even ask for your credit card number or other personal information.
What’s even more alarming is that these scammers are apparently very convincing, and have managed to fool quite a number of people already.
As of now the Dutch Police have not yet launched any investigations into this scam. However, it’s important to be aware of it, and to keep an eye out for any suspicious calls. So please beware and don’t fall for this scam!
So what can you do to protect yourself? Well, the first thing is to be aware of this scam. And the second thing is to always verify the identity of any official who contacts you, whether it’s by phone or email. Don’t hesitate to ask for ID or to call back the official’s number to verify it. And if you think you may have been scammed, report it immediately to the police.
The best way to protect yourself from scams is to be aware of their tactics and to educate yourself on how to spot them. You can also protect yourself by being vigilant when you’re contacted by someone claiming to be from a legitimate organization or agency.
If you’re not sure whether a communication is legitimate, it’s always best to call the organization directly to inquire about the issue. Don’t hesitate to ask for verification of the person’s identity or for more information about the request.
If you or someone you know has been scammed, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help. We work with victims of scam to guide them on the recovery journey.
