More young Dutch caught with fake IDs

More and more young Dutch end up at the youth crime intervention office HALT for using a fake identity card, according to figures NOS received. Last year a total of 428 young Dutch were sent to HALT for using a fake ID, compared to 350 in 2015. In the first four months of this year, HALT already gave alternative punishments to 147 teenagers for using a fake or borrowed ID.

HALT does not attribute the increase only to more kids using a fake ID to get into a club or buy alcohol, but also to better cooperation between the police, municipality and hospitality industry - fewer teenagers get away with it.

When a teenager ends up at HALT for using a fake ID for the first time, they have to spend between 8 and 12 hours in conversations and doing assignments about alcohol use, peer pressure and ID fraud. They also have to apologize to someone from the hospitality industry, as serving alcohol to a minor could have severe consequences for hospitality staff. If a teenager is caught with a fake ID more than once, he or she could face a fine of up to 370 euros and it reduces their chance of getting a positive Certificate of Good Behavior, which in turn affects their chances of finding a job or internship.