Large Investigation

The police received anonymous information about a man from Amersfoort who was allegedly involved in the sale of fake healthcare diplomas. As a result, the police started the investigation in January, which quickly turned into a large-scale issue. Given the connections, they collaborated with the Investigation Team of the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ).

The investigation revealed that the three suspects were engaged in business activities involving the guidance of hundreds of EVC trajectories, during which an EVC certificate was ultimately issued. Various irregularities were found, including the use of false documents. This led to suspicions of illegal sales.

The suspects are a 27-year-old man from Amersfoort, a 35-year-old man from Amersfoort, and a 32-year-old woman from The Hague. During searches of their homes and a business premises, various items were seized, such as administration, data carriers, and valuable goods. The investigation is still ongoing. The arrested suspects are in custody and are being interrogated. More arrests are not ruled out.

EVC Certificates

Through Recognition of Acquired Competences, acquired knowledge and experience can be recorded in an EVC certificate. With such an EVC certificate, an MBO diploma can be obtained more quickly, or even directly, allowing one to work in healthcare. An EVC certificate also allows for SKJ registration, enabling one to work in youth care.

Criminals Active in Healthcare

The police report that criminals are actively operating on a large scale in healthcare. Criminals have a care agency in their name or work as freelancers in healthcare without a (legitimate) diploma, reaping large amounts of money. There are fraudulent agencies offering fake EVC certificates for sale. This poses significant risks to the quality and safety of care. The consequence is that unauthorized and unqualified personnel, or even criminals, are at the bedside of vulnerable individuals, performing care actions without being trained for it. Additionally, these fake EVC certificates undermine the diploma system in the Netherlands: students receive genuine diplomas based on false EVC certificates.

Verification Obligation

To effectively combat this form of undermining in the long term, it is important that all parties involved cooperate and take their responsibilities. Care institutions and providers must check whether their staff have the correct identity, valid diplomas, and a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) before hiring someone. This obligation is not always well adhered to. Various inspections monitor fraud and other misconduct in healthcare. They can collaborate with the Public Prosecution Service or the police.

Report Healthcare Fraud to the Dutch Healthcare Authority

If you are a healthcare provider and detect diploma fraud or EVC fraud, report it to the police and notify the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate. If you suspect healthcare fraud, report it to the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). If you want to report healthcare fraud but wish to remain anonymous, you can call the TCI (Criminal Intelligence Team) of the Dutch Labor Inspectorate anonymously at 06-29744468.