Netherlands Scams: Online, Banking & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams in the Netherlands and how to report to the politie, Fraudehelpdesk, and your bank.
Emergency number: 112 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
The Netherlands experiences high rates of online fraud including helpdesk fraud (helpdeskfraude), bank impersonation, marketplace scams, and investment fraud. The Dutch police (politie.nl) accept online fraud reports and the Fraudehelpdesk provides specialist anti-fraud guidance and referral services. Investment scams can be reported to the AFM (financial markets regulator), and contacting your bank within minutes of discovering a fraudulent transfer is the most important first step.
WhatsApp fraud — 'vriend-in-noodfraude' (friend-in-need fraud) — became a national phenomenon: a message from a 'child' or friend on a new number asks for an urgent Tikkie or transfer to cover a bill. Its sibling, bank helpdesk fraud, uses spoofed phone numbers so the call genuinely appears to come from your bank; the 'employee' warns of hacking, walks victims into 'securing' money in a vault account ('kluisrekening') or installing AnyDesk-style remote software. Dutch banks never operate this way, and spoofing cases have led banks to compensate many victims — but only reported ones. Marktplaats fraud rounds out the everyday threats: fake payment links dressed as the platform's payment service, requests to 'verify' with a one-cent payment that actually harvests bank login details, and non-delivery after direct transfers.
Phishing waves impersonate the Belastingdienst around tax season, DigiD, PostNL parcels, and energy companies with fake refunds. Investment fraud runs from boiler-room calls pushing shares and crypto to slick fake platforms advertised with celebrity deepfakes; check the AFM's registers and warning lists first. When money has moved, use your bank's fraud line or the in-app emergency option immediately, report to the police online, and let the Fraudehelpdesk route anything you are unsure about.
Common scams
- Helpdesk fraud (helpdeskfraude) — fake bank or tech support calls seeking remote access
- Phishing and smishing impersonating banks or Belastingdienst (tax authority)
- Marketplace (Marktplaats) non-delivery and overpayment scams
- Investment and crypto fraud
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging or unmetered taxis in Amsterdam
- Ticket scams for events and attractions
- Pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas
Online shopping scams
- Fake online shops and classified listings
- Parcel-fee smishing impersonating PostNL
- Account takeover via phishing
Job scams
- Task scams via messaging apps
- Fake job offers requiring upfront document or visa fees
- Money-mule ('geldezel') recruitment of students via social media
Romance scams
- Dating-app romance leading to cryptocurrency investment grooming
- WhatsApp 'vriend-in-nood' messages impersonating children or friends
- Long-distance partners with escalating emergencies
Investment scams
- Clone broker and fake trading platforms
- Crypto and 'AI bot' investment schemes
- Boiler-room cold calls pushing shares and crypto with celebrity-deepfake ads
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately using the number on your card or app
- Report online fraud to the police at politie.nl
- Contact the Fraudehelpdesk on 088-7867372 for guidance and referral
- Check investment firms with the AFM at afm.nl
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately, because Dutch banks can freeze or attempt to recall a fraudulent transfer most effectively in the first few minutes. Reach them through your official app or the number on your card, not one supplied by the caller. Explain that you were deceived into authorising the payment, ask for the receiving account to be reported, and note your reference number. Mention explicitly if the call showed your bank's genuine number (spoofing) or if you were talked into a 'kluisrekening' transfer — Dutch banks have compensated many victims of spoofed bank-helpdesk fraud, and those details are central to the assessment. If you shared credentials, DigiD details or an SMS code, or installed remote-access software such as AnyDesk, say so and stop using that device for banking until it is cleaned. File a police report so the bank has an official reference, and the Fraudehelpdesk on 088-7867372 can advise on anything you are unsure how to classify.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What is helpdeskfraude?
Helpdeskfraude (helpdesk fraud) involves scammers impersonating bank or tech support, calling victims and persuading them to install remote-access software. The scammer then accesses banking apps and transfers money. Hang up and call your bank on a number you know is genuine.
Where do I report online fraud in the Netherlands?
File a report with the police at politie.nl. The Fraudehelpdesk (fraudehelpdesk.nl) can advise on whether to report and refer you to the correct authority. For investment fraud, contact the AFM.
Is DigiD ever requested by phone?
No. The Dutch DigiD digital identity service will never call you and ask you to share your credentials or access codes. Any such request is a scam.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance