Victim
A suspect called the victim pretending to be a bank employee. He said the bank card had expired and that someone would come by to collect it. The suspect provided a code that the victim had to give to the employee at the door. The victim was instructed to stay on the line.
At the door, the ‘bank employee’ asked for the bank card and other items. He claimed he needed to go to headquarters and would return later. The victim handed over his bank card and belongings.
The fraud had a significant impact on the 85-year-old man. Besides financial loss, he was also very shocked and experienced mental stress from the incident.
Investigation
The suspects are two men aged 18 and 24 from Almere and a 21-year-old man. The police are investigating their involvement in the case and possible links to other incidents. Further arrests are not excluded.
What is Bank Helpdesk Fraud?
In bank helpdesk fraud, scammers call people pretending to be bank employees. They claim to urgently collect the bank card and trick the victim into revealing their PIN. Money is quickly withdrawn. Sometimes they ask victims to install software, allowing them to remotely monitor or manipulate the computer. They then request the transfer of funds to a ‘safe account’, which actually belongs to the scammer.
What to Watch Out For?
Remember, a bank will never ask for account balance or request money to be transferred to another account. Such accounts do not exist. A bank will also never ask you to install software. Banks do not pressure customers to act quickly. If you receive a call from a supposed supervisor, it could also be a scammer.
What Should I Do If I Am a Victim?
If you have become a victim, always file a report. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and use clever tactics to overwhelm their victims. Filing a report is crucial for the police to understand where fraud occurs and whether there are links between different reports.
2024309539 ER