Fake pest controllers scam Dutch residents out of thousands, authorities say
Residents in Amsterdam and elsewhere across the Netherlands are being scammed weekly by fraudulent pest controllers who charge more than 1,000 euros, use illegal or controversial methods, and then disappear—leaving mouse and rat infestations unresolved, according to an investigation by RTL.
In one case in Amsterdam, a woman named Suze paid more than 1,000 euros for mouse control. In another case, an elderly woman paid 1,100 euros after allegedly being pressured into accepting costly measures that failed. In both cases, the infestations continued, and the company workers disappeared.
RTL Nieuws spoke with multiple victims who reported nearly identical experiences. The scams typically begin when residents, often panicked by mice or rats entering their homes, search online for help. They are directed to websites filled with smiling stock photos, fake five-star reviews, and claims such as “certified pest controller” or “known from TV.” None of those claims are legitimate, according to the investigation. The operators are not certified, the reviews and images are fabricated, and the websites are frequently cloned under different names.
Once inside a home, the fake controllers follow a fixed pattern, victims said. In cases involving mice or rats, they push the sale of glue traps. While such traps cost less than 1 euro in stores, victims reported being charged about 80 euros per trap. The mats are highly controversial due to animal suffering and can lead to fines from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA Their use is banned in some European countries, including Belgium and Ireland.
Suze said she called an 085 phone number listed on one of the websites. She was unable to get a clear price estimate in advance. “The only thing I was told was that they charged 95 euros for a call-out fee,” she said. A man arrived the next day and pressured her into buying 11 glue traps. “When I asked what would happen if I took fewer, they said the guarantee would no longer apply,” she told RTL. “I thought: OK, I’ll pay a lot all at once, as long as I get rid of the mice.” The infestation remained, and her phone number was later blocked by the company.
NVWA inspector Jasper said the agency hears similar stories regularly during inspections at businesses. “These are scammers who use the same methods as rogue locksmiths and drain cleaners,” he told RTL. “Huge bills, no results. They know people are desperate and exploit that.”
According to Jasper, the fake controllers also use illegal and dangerous methods. “We’ve seen photos of poison being used in places where babies were crawling around. That’s extremely dangerous,” he said.
He described the operations as a nationwide network. “They appear high in Google search results and can be on-site very quickly, no matter where you live,” he said. “There are multiple websites that all look very similar.”
The trade association NVPB said it recognizes the “worrying signals.” A spokesperson cited intimidating behavior, unrealistic guarantees, failure to return, and exorbitant bills. “People feel powerless against infestations and are misled by unqualified controllers,” the spokesperson said. “That is distressing, because people often feel completely abandoned.”
The Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT), which oversees the use of professional rodenticides, said enforcement is difficult. Inspector Peter told RTL scammers quickly create new websites, often without a physical address or using virtual offices. “People search for mouse control, click the first Google result, and end up with cowboys,” he said. “Being visible online is what these cowboys are good at.” ILT can only intervene when poison is used illegally or by unauthorized individuals. “Sprinkling even a handful of poison is always a violation,” Peter said.
NVWA inspector Frits said his agency can act against glue traps when there is unnecessary animal suffering, which he said is often. He recently shared video footage of a rat dying on a glue board to illustrate the harm.
Authorities advise residents to carefully verify pest control companies, check their registration records, and avoid anyone offering immediate guarantees or pressuring them to pay for expensive treatments. Victims are urged to file police reports, notify their banks of suspicious accounts, and report misuse of poison to the ILT.
