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Record Utrecht Reports of Fake Police in October as Nationwide Total Exceeds 10,000

Scammers first phone victims, then send impostors to collect cash, cards or jewelry.

Overview

  • Police logged 106 reports in Utrecht in October, the highest monthly tally to date, bringing the province to 736 this year.
  • Nationally, more than 10,000 incidents have been registered in 2025, with older people most frequently targeted.
  • Police say they have arrested over 500 suspects this year but stress that quick 112 calls are crucial for catching offenders in the act.
  • A newly flagged variant involves callers claiming a found phone and citing a fake case number before announcing a visit to “secure” valuables, often from a 06 number.
  • Reported harm includes prolonged manipulation by phone and large losses, with cases such as an 89-year-old coerced to hand over valuables and a goldsmith losing goods worth €100,000–€300,000.