13-year-old arrested in Spijkenisse for posing as officer, stealing €20,000 in jewelry

Police arrested a 13-year-old boy from Spijkenisse on suspicion of posing as a police officer and taking a pin card plus jewelry valued at more than 20,000 euros from at least one victim. Officers took the boy into custody at his home.

In a social media post about the arrest, police wrote: "It's summer vacation. You were still sleeping, but we knocked on your door. A little later you had to come with us to the police station."

A police spokesperson described the case as remarkable in comments to NOS. The Instagram post also noted surprise at the suspect's age: "So young, and already suspected of crimes that have an enormous impact on vulnerable people."

Police said the damage is substantial. "From one of the victims, more than 20,000 euros in jewelry was taken. Also, money was withdrawn with her pin card. The financial damage is great, but the emotional impact is often much greater."

The force stressed that such scams go beyond a criminal offense. "There are victims who lose their sense of security. People who trusted the police and were precisely for that reason scammed."

Investigators are examining whether the boy acted alone. "Was the decision his own choice? Or was there someone behind him directing him?" the police post stated.

The spokesperson said the chance of outside involvement is high. "Criminal exploitation is a phenomenon that we see in many forms." Those cases often involve commissioners or intermediaries who deliberately select vulnerable young people. "But some do it voluntarily, just for the money."

Police recorded a significant rise last year in arrests of people posing as officers. The perpetrators almost always follow the same approach. Elderly residents receive a letter or phone call claiming a burglary is occurring nearby and that their belongings are at risk. The callers then offer to visit and take valuable items "to safety" as a precaution. They frequently use officers' names or a police uniform.

Police issued a fresh warning: "Stay alert. The police will never ask you to hand over your PIN card, PIN code, jewelry, or other valuable items or have them picked up."