Fraud reports in the Netherlands jump 60% to over 100,000 cases

The Netherlands saw a sharp rise in fraud reports last year, with cases often beginning online and ending in real-world losses, authorities said. The Fraudehelpdesk, the country’s fraud reporting center, received more than 100,000 reports, a 60 percent increase from the previous year.

In one incident, a man from Amsterdam responded to a Facebook ad for an apartment, RTL reports. He visited the property, signed a rental agreement, and paid nearly 3,000 euros in rent and deposit, partly in cash and partly by card. Afterward, the alleged landlord disappeared.

Fraudulent activity now includes a broad spectrum of phishing emails, deceptive messages, fraudulent phone calls, and misleading ads. Cryptocurrencies have also become a common tool in scams.

The Fraudehelpdesk urged people to resist psychological pressure, recognize scams, report incidents, and collaborate with authorities to bring offenders to justice.

The surge in reports extends beyond fake landlords. The Fraudehelpdesk highlighted scams involving fake police officers, bank employees, contractors, and advisors. “The brazenness with which criminals approach people at home is concerning,” the center said.

Financial losses also increased sharply. Last year, fraud caused nearly 69 million euros in damages, a 65 percent rise in victims losing money compared with the previous year.