Scammers in Hoogwoud swap DHL packages for cheap substitutes
Tens of residents in the village of Hoogwoud have fallen victim to a package swap scam targeting DHL deliveries, leaving customers with cheap substitutes instead of the high-value items they ordered.
Dario Ekelmans, one of the victims, opened his package Monday afternoon expecting a new iPhone worth approximately 1,500 euros. Instead, he found a phone case and a USB-C charging cable. “I first thought Mediamarkt had made a mistake, but that is not the case,” Ekelmans told NH. “I have inquired: the package is weighed at departure and upon arrival by DHL. So I think something happens after the delivery bus is loaded. Perhaps they start by driving to an industrial area to switch the contents. I fear this occurrence is the work of an organized group.”
The scam appears to be widespread in the village. After Ekelmans’ wife shared the incident on Facebook, dozens of other residents came forward with similar experiences.
Reported cases involve phones, smartphones, drones, smartwatches, AirPods, and perfumes. Most of the time, a significantly cheaper alternative replaces the original product.
Gijs van Diepen reported receiving a 10-euro Action store speaker instead of the AirPods he ordered from Mediamarkt. “I thought it was Mediamarkt’s error, but I think someone is running a side operation,” he wrote on Facebook.
Björn Mooij, another Hoogwoud resident, received a low-cost headphone instead of a drone worth around 400 euros that he ordered from Coolblue. “You could see that the package had been neatly opened and resealed. Coolblue started an investigation, and their footage shows they packaged the drone properly. I have no idea if I will ever get my drone,” Mooij told NH.
Both Ekelmans and Mooij expressed concern over the scale of the scam. “Last night, I received many photos and spoke with ten other people. We all had the same experience. Multiple delivery drivers in white vans are involved. It is really not normal. I am concerned about whether I will get my iPhone back. "I am preparing for the worst," Ekelmans expressed to the newspaper.
