Dutch police launch new campaign to better warn elderly against fake cops
The Dutch police, in cooperation with broadcaster Omroep MAX, have shifted their nationwide campaign against fake police officer scams away from online platforms to stickers and flyers, RTL reports. This new approach aims to better reach vulnerable groups, especially elderly people, amid a sharp increase in such fraud cases in 2025.
Between January and June 2025, police registered 6,496 incidents involving criminals posing as officers. In all of 2024, 8,329 cases were reported. On average, about 35 daily incidents are recorded, though police say the true number is likely higher since many victims do not report out of shame.
Richard Deijs, operational specialist at the Police Unit in The Hague, told RTL, “In the Netherlands, we suffer greatly from this type of fraud.”
He noted that despite multiple earlier campaigns, the scams persist, mainly affecting older adults. “We have been active on social media to prevent fraud, but we have not reached a large portion of the vulnerable population.”
The new campaign distributes stickers and posters that people can place on or inside their doors as reminders that fake officers are active. Stickers are freely available to anyone who wants them.
Some worry that stickers on doors might signal criminals which homes have elderly residents. Deijs responded, “The sticker is meant for everyone, and you can choose where to place it. It does not have to be on the outside of the front door; it can also be placed inside.”
The campaign stresses that if someone suspects a fake officer is at their door, they should immediately call emergency number 112. “The police never come to people’s doors to seize or safeguard valuables,” Deijs emphasized.
