The victim was called around 9:45 PM by someone claiming to be from the bank. During the conversation, the victims partner became suspicious and called the police. With help from the police in the background, the victim managed to keep the fraudster on the phone for an hour and make arrangements. After the bank employee arrived at the door to collect the items as agreed, the police were already in the vicinity and arrested the suspect after a short chase. He is in custody for questioning by the detectives.
Cunning
This form of fraud has notably resurfaced in the area of Police Den Haag in recent weeks. Fraudsters come across as friendly and trustworthy, aiming to win over their victims. They prepare their story well, making it credible for the proverbial spotlight. Criminals manage to steal large sums of money in this way but often also cause significant emotional damage to their victims. Do you have an elderly family member, acquaintance, or neighbor? Make them aware of this form of fraud and prevent them from falling prey to such fraudsters.
Fraudsters Take Their Time
Fraudsters really take their time to win the trust of the intended victim. They call people and claim that there has supposedly been a suspicious transaction, but that the bank will naturally assist the victim. Such a phone call can sometimes last for hours, during which the fraudsters manage to gain the trust of the people. For example, by telling a story that burglars know where someone lives, they try to scare the victim.
At the Door
Ultimately, people provide their PIN and the fraudster asks the victim to put the bank card in an envelope. Someone from the police or the bank will then come to collect that envelope, they say. They also advise people to hand over any valuable items such as jewelry to be safely stored. In some cases, thousands of euros are withdrawn from the victims bank account in this way, and people may also give away valuable jewelry that sometimes belonged to deceased relatives. Although this can happen to anyone, it is often the elderly who are approached.
Police
The police, your neighborhood officer, or your bank will never come to your door to collect your cards or other valuables! Let alone ask you to provide your PIN. So if someone calls asking for this, it is a fraudster. Hang up immediately! If you have also been contacted by phone, call the police at 0900 – 8844. If someone actually comes to the door with a suspicious story: do not engage and call 112 immediately.
Alert the Elderly
Everyone can help make it as difficult as possible for fraudsters. Tell your parents, grandparents, or older neighbors that chat scams occur regularly. And that it is not rude at all to hang up or not let strangers in. Especially not if they feel that something is not right. Advise them to call the police immediately in such cases.
Prevention Tips
On the police website, there is a special theme page about chat scams, how to prevent them, and what to do if you unexpectedly become a victim. With this, the police aim to make people more alert to the risks that can lead to theft through chat scams. The page also contains tips for the elderly to enhance their own safety. The page can be found via this link: https://www.politie.nl/onderwerpen/babbeltruc.html