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Police Say Viral ‘Census Taker’ Warnings Are a Hoax

The only official statistics body is CBS, which handles such research online.

Overview

  • Dutch police report no incidents of roaming census impostors despite widespread social and neighborhood-app alerts.
  • Local officers shared the cautions with good intentions, then confirmed they have no reports matching the claims.
  • Posts described a non-existent institute and tactics such as showing ministry letterhead, checking IDs, taking fingerprints, and photographing documents.
  • Alerts appeared in Tilburg, Eindhoven, Oisterwijk, Hilvarenbeek, and Rosmalen, with units including Groene Beemden and Liemers posting on social media.
  • Authorities urge residents not to engage, to call 112 if approached, and to treat viral group messages with skepticism.