The investigation began under the direction of the Public Prosecution Service Parket Limburg in September last year, after a victim reported that she had been defrauded by someone posing as an employee of the National Postcode Lottery. Subsequently, hundreds of euros were taken from her. After extensive investigation, the police tracked down the suspect and he was arrested in Estepona by the Spanish Policia Nacional, UDYCO Greco Costa del Sol. Following the arrest, a search was also conducted. Among other things, phones and laptops were seized.

Together with the East Netherlands Unit, searches were conducted on the same day at the homes of two other suspects in Borne and Deurningen. So far, no arrests have been made. Multiple phones and laptops were also seized during these searches for further investigation.

The Cybercrime Team Limburg continues the investigation without interruption. At this moment, the exact scope of the case and thus the number of victims and the amount of damage is not yet known. However, it is known that there are multiple victims.

Method of Fraud 
After the victim is informed over the phone that she has won a prize, she shortly thereafter receives a message that too much money has been paid or that taxes still need to be paid. She is asked to click on a link, which then does not work. The fraudster offers help and seduces the victim to install Anydesk or a similar program. This gives the fraudster access to the victims computer and therefore also her account. The fraudster then changes the name of the savings account to the name of the lottery. A portion of this money must then be refunded as overpaid or as tax. This amount is then transferred to a third account. 

Prevention Message

• If you win in the Postcode Lottery, the prize money is automatically transferred to the account number from which the ticket was paid within four weeks. You don’t have to do anything for that.
• Want to know if you have won a prize? Check www.postcodeloterij.nl/uitslagen
• Trust your gut feeling
  • Do not let yourself be pressured and do not be misled by a created sense of urgency
  • If in doubt, hang up
  • If you do not trust it and cannot figure it out? Then call the relevant lottery yourself
• Never install programs at the request of the caller, such as Anydesk

Report a Crime
If you have become a victim of cybercrime, contact the police and file a report or a notification. This can be done via 0900-8844 or online via this link.