Dutch Police Arrest Over 500 Fake Officers This Year

The Netherlands is experiencing a dramatic increase in scams involving people posing as police officers. Dutch police have arrested 502 suspects this year for pretending to be officers to steal valuables: roughly four times more than the 127 arrests in 2023 and significantly higher than the 357 arrests in 2024. Police have logged 10,631 incidents involving fake officers so far in 2025, around 20 times the 520 cases registered in 2023, showing how quickly this type of crime has spread.

The suspects usually target older people at home. The typical scam follows a pattern:

The phone call: Scammers call victims, often elderly, claiming there have been burglaries in the neighbourhood. They warn that the victim's money and jewellery are at risk from thieves.

The offer: The caller offers to "secure" or "protect" valuables by collecting them and keeping them safe at the police station.

The pickup: An accomplice, often dressed to look like a real officer with fake police jackets or identification, arrives at the door to collect cash, jewellery, bank cards, or other valuables as quickly as possible. The rush gives victims little time to think, check with family, or call the real police.

Police say many of these scams are run from organised call centres, with one person handling the phone call and another acting as the so-called officer at the door. This coordinated approach makes the scam more convincing and harder to detect.

Police spokeswoman Suzanne van de Graaf says the surge appears to be driven mainly by copycat behaviour rather than one large nationwide criminal gang. When scammers see that these schemes work, they imitate the approach, causing rapid spread of the crime.

The sharp increase in reports and arrests also reflects growing public awareness and willingness to report incidents, helped by national warning campaigns aimed especially at people over 70. Authorities have worked with broadcasters and community organisations to spread the message about this type of fraud.

Even so, police believe the real number of victims is higher because some people feel too ashamed or embarrassed to admit they were tricked. Many elderly victims don't report being scammed due to fear of judgment or feeling foolish for falling for the scheme.

While most cases involve theft without physical violence, the impact on victims is often severe. People can lose life savings accumulated over decades, along with jewellery that may have sentimental value beyond its monetary worth.

Just as importantly, victims lose their trust in others and in the police. This erosion of trust can make them fearful in their own homes and suspicious of anyone claiming to be in authority, which makes community policing more difficult.

This year brought a shocking tragedy: an 80-year-old woman in Amsterdam died after being robbed by a fake officer. Two young men, aged 21 and 23, are suspects in that investigation. While this represents an extreme case, it highlights the potential dangers these scams pose to vulnerable elderly victims.

Police stress several key points that everyone, especially elderly people and their families, should know:

Real officers never collect valuables: Legitimate police will never come to your home to collect cash, jewellery, bank cards, or PIN codes "for safekeeping." This is not part of any real police procedure.

Call 112 to verify: Anyone who doubts an officer's identity should call 112 immediately and check before handing over anything. Official dispatchers can confirm whether an officer is real and whether they've been sent to your address.

Report suspicious contacts: Even if you didn't hand over valuables, report suspicious calls or visits. Every report helps police build a clearer picture of the scam network and increases the chance of catching scammers before they victimize others.

Talk to elderly relatives: Family members should discuss this scam with older relatives, making sure they know the warning signs and feel comfortable calling 112 to verify any unexpected police visits.

Authorities are continuing public campaigns with simple, memorable messages such as "Is it a fake officer, or is it okay? Check by calling 112!" The campaigns use television, radio, social media, and community outreach to reach vulnerable groups.

Police have partnered with broadcasters, senior centres, and community organisations to spread awareness. The message emphasises that it's always okay to be cautious and verify someone's identity: real police officers will understand and support people taking time to confirm their credentials.

Police continue developing strategies to combat these scams, including working with phone companies to identify suspicious call patterns, training dispatchers to recognize reports of fake officers quickly, and coordinating arrests across jurisdictions when organised groups are involved.