Beware of phone scams!
The police have informed us of a scam that is mainly targeting young people with an international background. Victims are contacted by phone by someone claiming to be a "government official". They mislead them by telling them that they are on an international arrest warrant or that they have to pay a large fine. The scammer often has a lot of personal information, such as a social security number (BSN), which makes the scam seem credible. The so-called "employee" offers to help victims get off the list by asking them to install software such as TeamViewer or Anydesk. This software allows the scammer to view bank details and transfer money to another account undetected.
It is important to note that this is a scam. No government agency will ever contact you by phone to discuss such matters.
What should you do in this situation?
- Hang up immediately, even if you are in doubt. Do not give out any personal details or install any software if the caller asks you to.
- If the scammer gives you a phone number, or if you are unsure whether it is a real number, always look up the correct number for the agency the "employee" claims to be from, and wait until you get someone on the line with whom you can verify the call.
- Tell your family, friends and acquaintances about this scam and warn them about possible phone scams.
If you are a victim of this scam, take immediate action:
- Call your bank immediately to report any suspicious activity on your account.
- File a police report or visit the police website for more information and to make an appointment.
- If the scammers have managed to steal money from your bank account, always report it to the police immediately.
Tips:
- Always be careful when giving out personal information, especially over the phone or internet. Official authorities will never ask for such details unexpectedly.
- Always verify the identity of the person or agency contacting you before providing sensitive information.
- If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a call, contact the relevant authority directly using a reliable contact method.
- Spread awareness of scams and warn others to protect themselves from possible scams.
