East Netherlands police use regional dialects to warn elderly about scammers
Police in Gelderland and Overijssel are launching a campaign in regional dialects to protect elderly citizens from fake police officers and scammers. By speaking their language, authorities aim to build trust and prevent fraud targeting vulnerable groups.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Target Group | Elderly and forgetful individuals in East Netherlands |
| Regions Covered | Gelderland, Overijssel (Twente, Achterhoek, Salland, Veluwe) |
| Dialect Terms | Laaienlichters (Achterhoek), neppliessie (Twente), smiechten (Salland) |
| Campaign Partners | Overijssel Academy, Feestfabriek (Zwarte Cross) |
| Distribution Channels | Flyers in community centres, libraries, social media, TV spots |
| Dialect Speakers | 30-40% of East Netherlands residents; over 60% among elderly |
The Dutch police are responsible for enforcing the law and protecting citizens from crime, including fraud. This campaign highlights their role in community outreach, using culturally relevant methods to educate and safeguard vulnerable populations.
Read the full translated article below
Police: Beware of con artists and fake police officers!
The police are warning with a wink and a clever use of regional dialects about con artists, fake police officers, and scammers who target the elderly. Whether it’s in Twents, Achterhoeks, Noordwest-Overijssels, Veluws, or Sallands – a forewarned person counts for two!
Together, we’ll outsmart fake police officers
Elderly people, and those who are becoming more forgetful, often prefer to speak in their native dialect. That’s why the police in Gelderland and Overijssel are distributing flyers in regional languages. In the Achterhoek, you can warn about laaienlichters, and in Twente about neppliessie.
“It’s always better to speak to people in their own language,” says Albert Bartels, a regional language specialist at the Overijssel Academy, who isn’t averse to speaking a bit of dialect himself. “It’s so beautiful when you can just talk to older people in their own dialect. The conversation flows naturally, and they trust you more quickly. And if I say, ‘Beware of laaienlichters, folks!’, everyone knows exactly what I mean.”
Collaboration
In addition to the Overijssel Academy, the police have also teamed up with the Feestfabriek, the organisation behind the Zwarte Cross. “They are the perfect partner to reach the heart of Nedersaksisch society! And a great partner to convey this important message,” says Wessel ten Brinke, a police officer in the East Netherlands unit and the creator of this campaign.
What exactly is a laaienlichter?
A laaienlichter or neppliessie is someone who pretends to be a police officer. They call or suddenly appear at the door, claiming they need to ‘safely store’ money or jewellery. In reality, they take debit cards and valuable items. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to this type of fraud.
Police tackle it smartly
Not every police officer in East Netherlands speaks the local dialect, but with the new flyers, they can still connect with people in the region. The flyers will be placed in locations frequented by older people, such as community centres and libraries. Additionally, the Feestfabriek is producing a social media and television spot. These messages are a parody of Nederland in Beweging by Omroep MAX. Last year, the police launched a national campaign with the broadcaster to warn about fake police officers.
“With these messages in Nedersaksisch, we hope to reach even closer to the target group that is most vulnerable to these scammers,” says Wessel ten Brinke of the police. “In the Achterhoek, they say laaienlichters; in Twente, neppliessie; and in Sallands, perhaps smiechten. Together, we’ll outsmart fake police officers!”
How many people still speak dialect?
According to estimates from regional language organisations, around 30 to 40 percent of residents in East Netherlands still speak or understand a regional dialect. Among the elderly, this rises to over 60 percent.
In short: keep the door closed to scammers, and don’t hesitate to say:
“What are you up to, mate? Not a real police officer, are you!”