Skip to main content
Netherlands News in English

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
The sign outside a police station near Leidseplein in Amsterdam. 30 April 2023
The sign outside a police station near Leidseplein in Amsterdam. 30 April 2023 - Credit: NL Times / NL Times - License: All Rights Reserved
Crime
Etten-Leur
police
Markenland
Threat
scam
Russia
Ukraine
Wednesday, 18 October 2023 - 08:33

Share this article:

Threatening letter tells Etten-Leur street to hang Russian flags or face consequences

Residents around Markenland in Etten-Leur received a threatening letter in their mailboxes instructing them to display the Russian flag on the first of each month and pay money into an account or face dire consequences. Don’t respond to this scam, the police warned locals.

The letter writers claimed to be from the Russian National Unit. They said they wrote the letter in response to reports that many Ukrainians live in the neighborhood and hang Ukrainian flags.

“Every first of the month, we will observe this neighborhood. If we do not see a Russian flag flying that day, these houses will be noted, and the consequences for you and your family will be dire in the future,” the letter states. “Think carefully about whether your support for Ukraine is worth it.”

Wijkagenten #EttenLeur waarschuwen voor dreigbrief om Russische vlag op te hangen. Er zijn reeds meerdere meldingen over deze brief bij ons binnengekomen. Ga niet in op de eisen en meld incidenten of verdachte situaties bij ons.https://t.co/o7TmuBTLw9#politie #dreigbrief pic.twitter.com/QWjtLIG28B

— Politie Basisteam Weerijs (@POL_Weerijs) October 17, 2023

According to the writers, the Etten-Leur residents can avoid being made “an example” by showing their support for the Russian National Unit with a monthly amount paid into account details that will follow.

The police believe this is a scam and urged people not to transfer money if requested. The police are investigating and urged people who received the letter to come forward.

More like this

Image
Messages of support left outside the Ukrainian embassy in The Hague
Ukrainian embassy in The Hague implementing security measures after threat
Image
Handcuffs
Two men arrested for extorting hundreds through sex website Kinky.nl
Image
A man using his laptop and mobile phone to perform cybercrime activities.
Two people arrested after takedown of Lockbit
Image
Burned building at the Maidan in Kyiv, Ukraine
Dutch worried about cyberattacks, war close to home; Less about further-away threats
Make NL Times your top Google source

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Gakpo scores twice as Oranje edge Uzbekistan in final World Cup warm-up
  • TU Delft develops shape-shifting drone modeled on flying squirrels
  • Dutch government outlines plan to help 75,000 refugees find jobs amid labor shortages
  • Crypto platform Knaken tells customers not to file damage claims after shutdown
  • Record 4,000 people pull out of Vierdaagse walking event

Top stories

  • Only 6 fines in two years since ban on catcalling, sexually harassing women on street
  • Big Tobacco enters Dutch regulated cannabis experiment with stake in largest grower
  • Authorities should not need parents' consent for child abuse investigation: Ruling party
  • Robin van Persie dismissed as Feyenoord head coach as new directors opt for fresh start
  • Max Verstappen's Monaco GP ends in disaster after engine failure at race start

© 2012-2026, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Change Privacy Settings
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Partner Content