In the first half of 2025, there were 6,496 incidents where criminals impersonated officers and took valuable items. Throughout the previous year, there were 8,329 cases. Police are urging people to call 112 more quickly in such cases.
Currently, there are an average of 35 incidents with fake officers per day, police report. There has been an increasing trend in this type of fraud for some time. Older people are usually the victims.
The criminals pose as officers and warn of risks, such as burglaries in the neighborhood. They often make initial contact via email or phone. They then suggest ‘securing’ valuable property by having the police take it into custody. They later come to collect them from the victims, disguised as officers.
The police point out that they never come to collect valuable items, such as jewelry, bank cards, or money. People who suspect they are the victim of such a con are therefore advised to call 112 immediately. “The chance that we can arrest the fake officers in the act becomes greater,” says Sybren van der Velden Walda, national project leader Seniors and Security at the police.
Van der Velden Walda points out that many victims do not report the crime out of shame. As a result, the actual number of cases is probably higher. “This form of fraud has a major financial and emotional impact on the victims and also damages confidence in the police,” he says.
Due to the increasing numbers, the police, together with Omroep MAX, are starting an information campaign. “Is it a fake officer or is it okay? Check it via 112,” is the advice of the campaign.