Healthcare fraud and crime are becoming increasingly common in Rotterdam. Robin and Peter from the municipality are investigating the healthcare providers who are guilty of this. During the week against undermining, from April 14 to April 21, they will provide insight into their work. They will also give tips on what you can do against these malpractices and where you can report them (anonymously).
‘We are investigating healthcare criminals so that the municipality knows who they are and where they are. Then we can take action with others. Last year, several fraudulent healthcare providers were already banned from providing care.’ Robin summarizes what he and Peter do. Robin and Peter are fictitious names. The two researchers tell this story anonymously. This protects them, but it also allows them to do their work best. ‘Many people don’t know exactly what I do, and I prefer to keep it that way,’ says Robin.
He continues: ‘A healthcare criminal poses as a healthcare provider for a client. They receive money from, for example, the health insurance, but they do not provide care. Thus, the client is not assisted with dressing, showering, day activities, or medical care. Identifying these so-called healthcare providers is a long and complicated process. We work together with individuals and parties who have useful information, such as the police.’
What is fraud and what is crime?
What is the difference between healthcare fraud and healthcare crime? Peter: ‘Healthcare fraud is standalone fraud. For example: a healthcare provider claims, without the knowledge of their client, healthcare costs by misusing the client’s Digid. Or a healthcare provider asks for money for care they did not provide. Sometimes the fraudster and client collaborate and share the money.’
‘Healthcare crime goes further. This is when individuals supposedly run a healthcare agency. However, that agency does not provide care or provides poor care but uses it to launder money and exploit innocent people for their criminal activities. This involves individuals who are not genuine healthcare providers. There is more behind it than just a single instance of fraud. If, for example, a city marine or health insurer suspects that this is the case, we conduct an investigation. That’s when our work begins.’
At the expense of us all
‘We are receiving more and more reports of this kind,’ says Robin. ‘Healthcare crime not only harms the health of a victimized client, but it also costs us all a lot of money. In Rotterdam alone, millions of euros are lost to criminals in this way every year. Nationwide, it amounts to billions. You might think: oh, it’s just government money, but you are also contributing to this through your taxes.’
Vulnerable people are the victims
‘The heartbreaking thing is that vulnerable people become the victims of healthcare criminals. Sick people, people with intellectual disabilities, youth, and the elderly. These individuals are easily intimidated. Criminals often target the more vulnerable cases. This means people who are truly dependent and need a lot of care, receiving thousands of euros per month from the health insurer. This way, the so-called healthcare provider quickly earns a lot of money. Many recipients of care do not realize that they are victims of such a criminal organization. Moreover, they are often not able to report this.’
Peter continues: ‘Our work also involves a degree of customization. Because when we discover such a healthcare organization, it also means a lot for the clients. Before we proceed with the investigation, we must first arrange care for the client with another, genuine healthcare provider. Sometimes it’s not just about care, but also about a place to live. Only after that do we go after the criminals.’
Who are you and how do you help?
‘It is very easy to pose as a healthcare provider and earn money from it. What can we do against this? Governments, health insurers, and others who allocate healthcare funds must ask many more questions and conduct checks. At the front end, but also in between. What kind of healthcare provider are you exactly, what experience do you have, how many hours did you help someone in the past week? And so on.’
Recognize it yourself
‘Ordinary Rotterdammers can also help with this. They need to keep their eyes and ears open. For example, if you notice that your healthcare provider is not doing what you ask, that could be a sign of fraud or crime. Or if you receive care from someone else repeatedly? There could be more behind that. A healthcare provider should never ask for your Digid or bank card. If you doubt whether the healthcare provider is trustworthy, ask questions. If you continue to doubt, report it. You can also do this anonymously.’
Robin: ‘You help everyone by paying attention to such things and reporting them on the website of the municipality of Rotterdam. It helps the person with a disability or someone else receiving care. And it ultimately saves you, me, and the government a lot of money.’
More information
In 2024, the Reporting Center for Healthcare Fraud received 107 reports. All of these have been investigated. There were 23 administrative investigations completed. This led to 48 measures. A few examples of this are: publication of reports, refunding money to the healthcare provider, and a healthcare provider that is no longer allowed to provide care.
In 2025, there are 26 administrative investigations ongoing.
If you see healthcare fraud or suspect that something is wrong, report it on the page Report healthcare fraud. Or via Report crime anonymously. Link opens an external page.