Teen woman posed as fake cop to scam elderly victims in Amersfoort, police say
On May 26, police arrested a 19-year-old woman from Weststellingwerf suspected of committing multiple fraud offenses across the Netherlands by impersonating a police officer. The suspect was apprehended in Emmen after a failed attempt to defraud another victim, police reported.
The woman is linked to dozens of cases nationwide, including the March 2 scam of a 90-year-old woman in Amersfoort. According to police reports, the victim received a call warning that a police officer would visit her home to secure her valuables. The victim allowed the suspect inside, who examined the valuable goods and convinced the victim to hand over her bank card for safekeeping. The suspect then used the card to withdraw cash in Amsterdam.
Additional victims in Amersfoort, including one aged 98, fell for the same ruse in the following days. In some cases, potential victims asked the suspect to show police identification, which she could not provide, leading to her quick departure.
Police confirmed that the suspect was active in multiple cities and had defrauded numerous elderly people. She turned herself in after attempting another fraud in Emmen, where she was immediately arrested for attempted fraud. She remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Authorities warn the public to remain vigilant: “Police, banks, or other institutions will never request your personal information or visit your home to collect valuables,” they said. Citizens are urged to always ask for physical police identification from anyone claiming to be an officer. If suspicious or in urgent need, individuals should call emergency services at 112.
The local police team in Amersfoort wrote on Facebook Tuesday, “In March, we shared information about a suspect connected to multiple fraud cases. She was wanted for fraud in several cities, including Amersfoort. Good news: the suspect has now come forward.”
