New bank fraud hits around 170 Dutch people
Scammers used AI-generated voices and made victims hold their bank cards against a phone.
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According to the police, a new form of bank helpdesk fraud claimed around 170 victims in approximately three weeks. The police say the damage amounted to around €380,000; two suspects are in custody.
The police announced on Wednesday that Rotterdam’s Cybercrime Team had uncovered a new method of fraud. Victims were contacted by telephone with an automated recording imitating a bank or company. Anyone who pressed a key was put through to a fake employee.
According to the police, the caller claimed there was suspicious activity on the victim’s account and that quick action was needed. Victims had to install an app and hold their bank card against their mobile phone. The police say this allowed criminals to transmit data from the NFC chip to another app, after which accomplices withdrew money from a cash machine.
The police say they tracked the method for three weeks through the servers of the criminal network. During that period, around 170 victims were registered across the Netherlands. According to the police, they were not all elderly: dozens of people in their twenties and thirties also fell victim.
On 6 October, two men were arrested: a 23-year-old from Vaassen and a 25-year-old from Ede. The police suspect the first of having a technical and supervisory role, and the second of coordination. They are suspects; their guilt has not yet been established. According to the police, the Rotterdam District Court decided on 20 October that they would remain in custody for a further 90 days.
The police say the servers have been taken offline and that the suspects’ phones and laptops are being examined. According to the police, the case is being led by the Public Prosecution Service. The police stress that banks do not ask customers to install an app, hold a bank card against a phone or disclose a PIN. The precise scale of the fraud may still change as the investigation continues.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The police investigated a new form of bank helpdesk fraud in which victims had to scan their bank cards with a phone.
- According to the police, there were 170 victims and around €380,000 in damage over approximately three weeks.
- Two suspects were arrested and are being held for longer while the investigation continues.
Left
Arguments The case shows that banks, platform companies and the government must take greater joint responsibility for fraud prevention and compensation. Victims should not be viewed solely as individually careless.
Values Protecting citizens, digital equality and the responsibility of powerful institutions.
Consequences Greater oversight and prevention may protect victims, but could also lead to stricter payment checks and reduced ease of use.
Centre
Arguments Rapid cooperation between banks, the police and the Public Prosecution Service is needed, combined with clear information. New rules must remain proportionate and leave room for safe digital banking.
Values Legal certainty, effective enforcement and practical feasibility.
Consequences A targeted approach can disrupt the fraud without burdening all customers with onerous checks.
Right
Arguments The primary responsibility lies with the perpetrators and with citizens never to follow instructions from unknown callers. Banks must improve their security, but additional government rules could harm innovation and privacy.
Values Individual responsibility, order and restraint in government intervention.
Consequences Greater emphasis on investigation and personal vigilance may work quickly, but could also leave victims to bear the financial consequences.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is based directly on the police and is independently summarised by RTV Rijnmond. The text clearly distinguishes between allegations and established facts.
- confirmed Around 170 victims lost a total of approximately €380,000. — Mentioned by the police and RTV Rijnmond. source
- confirmed Victims had to hold their bank cards against a mobile phone. — Description in the police statement. source
- confirmed Two suspects were arrested on 6 October. — The police statement and RTV Rijnmond name the same date and two suspects. source
- confirmed The court extended their pre-trial detention by 90 days. — Mentioned in both sources. source
Editor's note
The police confirm the new method, the number of victims, the damage and the arrests. The suspects have not been convicted, and the damage and victim figures may still change as the investigation continues.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „bankfraude bankhelpdeskfraude”
- NU.nl — „bankfraude bankhelpdeskfraude”
- De Telegraaf — „bankfraude bankhelpdeskfraude”