Up to 30 months imprisonment demanded in Northern Netherlands against young fake officers

News report | 16-01-2026 | 13:59

It is a relatively new method of fraud that is causing more and more victims. Often very elderly people who are gullible and trust the authority of the police. The police receive an average of 34 reports per day from victims who have dealt with fake officers; in 2025 there were more than 12,000. And this is only a fraction of the actual figures.

Abuse of trust

The victim, often selected by age, is called by a so-called police employee. A target group specifically chosen because it is a generation that has been raised to trust authorities. Trust that has been shamefully abused. On the phone, a problem is described. For example, many burglaries would take place in the neighborhood and the victim could be the next possible target. Reason why valuable items must be photographed and secured.

From the reports discussed in court today, it appears that the suspects conduct is brazen. Victims are selected by age. They trustingly go along with the fraud story, let the fake officer in, and gather their valuable belongings which are then stolen in a brutal manner.

Modus operandi

To supposedly assist the victim, a police employee would immediately visit, it is said. Moments later, someone rings the doorbell at the victims home. And then a fake officer stands at the door. It is not surprising that the victim lets the fake officer in to supposedly secure valuable goods, often jewelry, cash, and bank cards. The items are stolen right under their nose.

The two suspects standing trial today, a 19-year-old man from The Hague and a 25-year-old man from Delft, are suspected of theft and fraud as outlined by the prosecutor. The prosecutor: This case is not about isolated incidents. It concerns an organized collaboration that was engaged for months in defrauding and robbing victims. The suspects only stopped due to police intervention on July 22, 2025.

Brazen

Between March 4, 2025, and July 22, 2025, reports of fraud by fake officers were filed across the country. In total, twenty reports are part of the charges with damages amounting to at least 40,000 euros. These reports could be linked to the two suspects because the addresses where these frauds occurred were found in the phones of both men. Also, the description of the collector often matched the 19-year-old suspect from The Hague or he was recognized on neighborhood or ATM camera footage.

From the reports discussed in court today, it appears that the suspects conduct is brazen. Victims are selected by age. They trustingly go along with the fraud story, let the fake officer in, and gather their valuable belongings which are then stolen in a brutal manner. Suspects expect little physical resistance, as most victims are over 80 years old.

Calculated and meticulous

The prosecutor states that jewelry with great emotional value, such as wedding rings, engagement rings, and heirlooms, are taken in a cold-blooded manner. It concerns thousands of euros in cash. The calculated and meticulous way in which the plan was executed shows no empathy for the victims consequences. The suspects do not care at all. They are only concerned with their own gain at the expense of others. I hold the suspects seriously accountable for this.

From bad to worse

For one victim, things go from bad to worse. She keeps her jewelry in a teapot in the cupboard. She places it on the table for the suspect, says the prosecutor. Then one of the suspects takes the gold jewelry out. But that is not enough. He also wants the jewelry she is wearing at that moment. When she says she cannot do this herself, the suspect offers to help her. That takes nerve.

When determining the sentence, the prosecutor considers the severity of the facts, the suspects attitude during the process, their age, the probation services advice, and the personal circumstances of both men.

Severe prison sentences

This results in a prison sentence of thirty months for the 25-year-old man from Delft, of which ten months are conditional with a probation period of three years and special conditions as advised by the probation service.

For the 19-year-old man from The Hague, the prosecutor demands juvenile detention for 360 days, of which 317 days are conditional with a probation period of two years. The prosecutor also demanded 200 hours of community service. Given his age, he qualifies for juvenile criminal law, but the prosecutor believes that justice can only be done by imposing a sentence at the upper end of juvenile criminal law.

The court will announce its verdict on January 30 at 13:00.