1 in 5 Dutch adults has fallen victim to cybercrime, survey shows
Nearly one in five Dutch adults has been a victim of cybercrime, with many reporting lasting financial and emotional harm—but only a third ever file a police report, according to a major survey by EenVandaag.
The poll, conducted among more than 21,000 members of the Opinion Panel, found that 22 percent of respondents have been targeted successfully by cybercriminals. Phishing attempts are the most common form, with 91 percent reporting encounters with suspicious emails or messages. The most damaging, however, is online sales fraud: 12 percent said they were scammed while shopping via webshops or online marketplaces.
In 51 percent of cases, the encounter led to financial loss. In other cases, victims reported misuse of personal data or reputational damage. Many also suffered psychological effects—long after financial issues were resolved.
One participant described being tricked during a phone scam: “I was contacted about my Visa card. Everything seemed legitimate, but then money disappeared from my account. Right after, I got a call from a real employee, who blocked the account and refunded me. I was ashamed I fell for it—it’s all so subtle.”
Contrary to stereotypes, younger people are just as likely to be victims as those over 65. But the impact differs. Among seniors, 27 percent reported still feeling the effects, such as anxiety or a lack of trust.
A senior participant recounted a scam on a dating app: “Someone tried to manipulate me emotionally into giving money. She almost succeeded, but a friend knocked the rose-colored glasses off my face. I was devastated, and it deeply affected my trust in others.”
Older adults tend to lose more money. While younger victims usually lose under 100 euros—typically due to failed online purchases—among those over 65 who lost money, one in three said the damage was at least 1,000 euros.
One woman said she was conned by someone posing as her son: “He said he needed 1,900 euros quickly to pay a fine. I believed him and sent it.”
Despite the frequency of attacks, just 36 percent of victims said they reported the crime to police. In many cases, people didn’t bother due to the low monetary value or because banks had already resolved the issue. Others doubted filing a report would lead to anything, or said police only allowed them to log an incident—not file a formal complaint.
Among those who did report the crime, only 12 percent said someone was arrested. Of those, roughly half resulted in a conviction.
Most respondents said anyone can become a victim, but 70 percent still believe the risk is low in their own case. About half said they could do more to protect themselves—like using antivirus software, switching passwords more often, or installing a VPN. Others, particularly younger people, said they take no extra steps. “No special measures,” said one participant, “just pay attention and use common sense.”
