Caught in the Act

The police advise people who may have fake police officers at their door to call 112 for verification and to be able to act more quickly. The chance that we can catch these fake officers in the act becomes greater, says Van der Velden Walda. Since the police never come to peoples homes to take valuable items into custody, the likelihood that it is a scam is very high.

Damage

Every day we register about 35 scams involving fake police officers nationwide. Many victims do not report out of shame, so the actual number of victims is much larger. This form of fraud has a significant financial and emotional impact on the victims and also damages trust in the police. Therefore, we are joining forces with Omroep MAX to fight against this cowardly method, says Van der Velden Walda. We are doing this deliberately at the start of the summer vacation. Families are often absent and cannot help or advise them if a fake officer is at the door.

Method

Fake police officers often call first to announce their arrival or may use a letter. They mention (armed) burglaries in the area and immediate danger for the elderly to also become victims. To supposedly protect them, the criminals want to pick up their valuable possessions from their homes to secure them. They sometimes use names of officers or (parts of) the uniform. However, the police never come to collect valuable items such as jewelry, money, and bank cards with PIN codes, emphasizes Van der Velden Walda.

Victims Overwhelmed

Mae Scheurink, neighborhood officer in the municipality of Oude IJsselstreek: Elderly people are certainly not naive, but the problem is that they are overwhelmed by such a criminal at the door. When we later respond to that report, we have to talk persuasively to convince people that we are indeed the police. Their trust in the police is completely shattered at that moment.

Check via 112

Is it a fake officer or is it okay? Check it via 112 is therefore the advice of the campaign. This message is also central to the campaign spots that will be visible and audible from Friday, July 11, in the commercial breaks of public and commercial channels. Additionally, various TV and radio programs from MAX will broadcast the spot. A flyer with information to warn the elderly and tips on what they can do against these scams has also been included with this months MAX magazine. The police advise seniors to stick this flyer on the inside of their front door. Neighborhood officers also distribute this flyer among the target group.

Collaboration with MAX

Jan Slagter comments on the collaboration: We regularly receive questions about this from our supporters and hear the stories about this form of fraud. These are truly heartbreaking stories. How can you do this to someone, especially a vulnerable elderly person? People need to be warned, and the perpetrators must be stopped! So I am glad that MAX and the police are joining forces, tackling this together, and raising awareness about it.