Six men arrested for string of violent robberies using dating apps in Noord-Holland

Police arrested six men in February for a string of violent robberies in Noord-Holland. The six suspects are accused of using dating apps to lure their victims for several robberies in Andijk, Zuid-Scharwoude, and Sint Pancras. Three people had already been arrested for these incidents prior to this.

The ages of the six men range from 18 to 23. They are from Alkmaar, Enkhuizen, and the municipalities of Dijk en Waard, Drechterland, Medemblik, and Stede Broec.

Since 2023, there have been 14 reported incidents of men being lured to a location before being attacked and robbed. Several of these were also extorted or threatened after this in order to give the suspects more money. The victims thought that they were going on a date with a young woman via a dating site.

NH Nieuws reported that one of the incidents involved a 23-year-old from Haarlem, who was kidnapped and assaulted. He was forced to give up personal details, contacts, and addresses. His car was destroyed by the suspects when he was forced to teach them how to drive while his hands were tied.

Police are holding two groups of perpetrators responsible for the whole series of incidents. They also seem to be using more and more violence: some victims had to go to the hospital.

A police spokesperson said that the group mainly speak Dutch, although some victim's claim to have heard Polish being spoken. They have not ruled out further arrests.