Dutch police crack down on nationwide bank helpdesk fraud ring
Two men have been arrested in connection with a large-scale bank helpdesk fraud scheme, leaving victims across the Netherlands hundreds of thousands of euros poorer. Learn how to protect yourself from similar scams and what to do if you’ve been targeted.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrests | Two men (25 and 33 years old) arrested in The Hague and Gouda |
| Suspected Fraud | Multiple cases of bank helpdesk fraud across the Netherlands |
| Total Stolen | Several hundred thousand euros |
| Modus Operandi | Fraudsters posed as bank employees, tricked victims into sharing screens |
| Locations Searched | Gouda, Hellevoetsluis, The Hague |
| Seized Items | Multiple phones and laptops |
| Victim Example | Raamsdonksveer resident lost several thousand euros |
| Ongoing Investigation | Police continue to investigate the case |
The Dutch police are responsible for investigating criminal activities, including fraud, and protecting citizens from financial crimes. In this case, they conducted searches and arrests to disrupt a large-scale fraud operation targeting bank customers.
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Two arrests in investigation into large-scale bank helpdesk fraud
The police arrested two men on Monday, 23 March 2026, as part of an investigation into bank helpdesk fraud. They are suspected of involvement in multiple fraud cases across the Netherlands, in which victims were robbed of large sums of money.
In July 2025, a victim in Raamsdonksveer received a call from someone posing as a bank employee. This person told the victim that a large sum had been transferred from their account to foreign accounts and asked if they could check it together. The victim then shared their screen with the suspect and accessed the banking app. Nothing appeared unusual, so the call ended. However, after the call, it turned out that several thousand euros had been withdrawn from the account. The victim filed a police report.
During the police investigation, it emerged that multiple reports of bank helpdesk fraud had been filed across the Netherlands during that period, with the suspect(s) using the same phone. The fraudsters made off with several hundred thousand euros. Following extensive investigation, searches were conducted on Monday, 23 March 2026, in homes in Gouda, Hellevoetsluis, and The Hague. Police seized multiple phones and laptops during these searches.
Additionally, two suspects were arrested in The Hague on Monday morning. These include a 25-year-old man from The Hague and a 33-year-old man from Gouda. The man from The Hague has since been released but remains a suspect. The police are continuing their investigation.
What can you do yourself?
Are you unsure whether you are speaking to a fraudster on the phone? Even if you have slight doubts: end the call immediately. Look up the correct phone number of your bank, the police, or a government agency yourself. Call and ask whether what you were told and asked to do is legitimate. You can also always visit your bank branch or police station to share your experience. This is the only way to be certain you are speaking to the right person or organisation.
Have you become a victim of telephone fraud?
If you have become a victim of telephone fraud, do not feel ashamed. You are truly not the only one to experience this. Always contact your bank immediately to have your account blocked. And always file a police report. You can do this by phone, in person at the station, or in many cases online. Also share your story with friends and acquaintances. This helps prevent new victims from being targeted.