After extensive detective work and good cooperation with the district detectives of the four districts in the Zeeland – West-Brabant unit and the cyber team of the Regional Detective Service, a 22-year-old suspect from the municipality of Woensdrecht has been arrested. The police suspect him of directing minors as fake police officers to defraud people. It is suspected that he has made victims throughout the country.

The suspect was brought before the court on Friday, January 22, 2026, where the examining magistrate imposed 14 days of pre-trial detention. The investigation is not yet complete and continues unabated.
 

Jewelry Found
Various pieces of jewelry were found in the suspects home, which are suspected to have been obtained through fraud. We are looking for the owners. The jewelry can be found here. Do you recognize your jewelry? Please contact us via 0900-8844 or the form below and specify which jewelry it concerns.

Modus Operandi
The fake officers often call you first or send a letter on behalf of the police. They may, for example, refer to (armed) burglaries in your neighborhood and indicate that you also seem to be a victim. They offer to quickly pick up your valuable belongings at your home and supposedly keep them safe. Sometimes they give a code that the person at the door will pass on to you. The scammers do this to gain trust.

You Are a Victim
The police find it important that you know you do not have to be ashamed if you are a victim of a fake officer. The criminals operate very cleverly, so this can happen to anyone.

Note: if a (suspected) fake officer has made an appointment to come to your home, if a fake officer is at your door, or has just been at your home, call 112 immediately. Provide any known descriptions and vehicle information, such as license plates.

If items have been stolen or you have been defrauded by a fake officer, for example by gaining access to your bank account, contact the police immediately via 0900-8844.

If you have given your bank card(s), also contact your bank.

Tips
Is it a fake officer or is it okay? Check via 112!

To prevent becoming a victim of a fake officer, we have the following prevention tips for you:

  1. If a (fake) officer is at the door, do not let them in just like that.
  2. Listen to the story. If possible, use your doorbell camera, a door stopper on your front door, or a chain lock.
  3. Check the police visit via 112. Our colleagues at the control room you reach by phone can verify the police visit for you.
  4. Do not hand over valuable items. The police never come to your door to collect your money, cards with PIN codes, or valuables (such as jewelry).

If you distrust it for any other reason, be warned and follow these steps:

  1. Look at the uniform. Real officers always wear a complete uniform, often with weaponry. Note: fake officers often say they are in plain clothes or from the detective service. Do not be misled by this.
  2. Ask for identification. Be aware that fake officers may have made false identification pretending to be officers.

A real police officer can always identify themselves with a valid police identification card. This is a card with the name, personnel number, and a photo. This card is made of plastic, just like a drivers license. The police ID card also has multiple visible and invisible authenticity features, making it harder to counterfeit. View an example here. A police officer in plain clothes must always voluntarily show their police ID.