The police arrested three suspects involved in helpdesk fraud in Vlissingen on Thursday evening, May 9, 2025. They attempted to defraud a 61-year-old man by posing as bank employees and arranging a visit to his home to supposedly collect valuable items and his bank card.

The man received a message earlier that day stating that someone was trying to access his bank account. He was then contacted with a request to make an appointment at home. The man was suspicious and immediately contacted the police.

Investigators immediately launched an investigation and set a trap. One of them took a position in the victims home and waited for the suspect.

Three suspects arrested
When one of the suspects rang the doorbell and asked for the bank card, officers intervened. The boy realized it was a trap and fled. Two other suspects were waiting outside on an e-bike and a scooter to help him escape.

The police managed to arrest all three of them. They include a 22-year-old man from Middelburg and two boys aged 16 and 22 from Vlissingen.

Increase in reports of fake police officers
The police receive almost daily reports of fake police officers. They contact victims by phone or at the door with a story about potential (burglary) risks at the victims address. They then urge that valuable items be secured as quickly as possible. These are obviously not police officers, but criminals. You wouldn’t fall for that, would you? Certainly! Daily, fake police officers make victims, and the damage can sometimes amount to thousands of euros. The criminals are often well-prepared and have a lot of information about their victims. This can make it seem like it’s really the police. Sometimes they even wear (part of the) uniform.

We also see that various reports of bank helpdesk fraud continue to come in. Bank helpdesk fraud is a form of fraud where victims are contacted by individuals posing as bank employees. They inform victims that the money in their bank account(s) is no longer safe and then pressure them to secure their money (with or without assistance). In reality, victims transfer money to an account controlled by the fraudsters.
 

Criminals are coming up with more tricks
In addition to fake police officers, there are more tricks that criminals use to obtain money or valuable items from victims. They may pose as so-called bank employees, an employee of the energy company, or a care worker. Fraudsters abuse the names of companies or agencies that victims trust. They often succeed with this. In this case, the police were informed in time, allowing three suspects to be caught in the act.

What can you do if you receive a call from a fake police officer or bank employee?
The main tip is to always check if the story is true. Were you called unexpectedly? Verify if this is true.
If you receive a call, you can take the following actions:

• Hang up immediately if you are called by someone claiming to be from the police or who says they are from a bank. First check the story if you are asked to set aside jewelry and a bank card;
• Call the police at 0900 - 8844 and verify with them if you were indeed called by a police officer. In the case of a bank employee, also hang up and then call your bank directly to verify if this is true;
• If you have provided any information (for example, an address), do not let anyone in.

If someone is at the door:

• Do not open the door for someone claiming to be from the police. Not even if the person at the door claims to be from your bank. First, ask for the police identification and personnel number of the person at the door and also call the police at 112 to check the number. In the case of the bank employee, also ask them to identify themselves;
• A real police officer can always identify themselves with a valid police identification. This is a card with the name, personnel number, and a photo. This identification is made of polycarbonate, just like a drivers license. The police identification also has multiple visible and invisible authenticity features so that it is less easy to forge. Here is an example. A police officer in civilian clothes must always voluntarily show the police identification.