In a joint operation by Dutch and Belgian police, a major international cybercrime network has been dismantled.
The network, which stole millions of euros through phishing and fraudulent bank helplines, operated in at least ten European countries.
Four suspects were arrested in the Netherlands on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Targeted Raids and Arrests
The investigation, launched earlier this year by Rotterdam police in collaboration with their Belgian counterparts, led to large-scale raids on December 3 in locations including Zaltbommel, Almere, Amersfoort, and Rotterdam.
During the raids, items such as data storage devices, phones, luxury goods like jewelry and expensive watches, cash, and even a taser were seized.
The arrested suspects—three men and one woman, aged between 23 and 66—are accused of phishing, bank fraud, money laundering, and participation in a criminal organization.
Three suspects remain in custody for 14 days, while the 66-year-old woman has been released but remains a suspect.
In Belgium, five additional suspects were arrested, including one who will soon be extradited to the Netherlands.
Millions Stolen through Fake Websites
According to Jacqueline Bonnes, a prosecutor in Rotterdam, the criminals used sophisticated methods to defraud victims.
Victims received emails, text messages, or WhatsApp messages with phishing links that redirected them to fake banking websites.
The entered details were then exploited by fraudsters posing as bank employees over the phone.
This allowed them to empty bank accounts, with estimated total losses amounting to millions of euros.
The suspects set up their call centers in luxury homes and Airbnb locations, from which they contacted their victims.
Devastating Consequences for Victims
The impact on victims is significant, both financially and emotionally.
Elderly people are often among the victims. A 77-year-old said: “I sleep poorly and worry a lot. My trust in people has been completely shattered.”
The suspects spent the stolen money on parties, designer clothing, and expensive vacations, flaunting their extravagant lifestyle on social media.
Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out.
Police stress the importance of victims coming forward and urge young people to be aware of the consequences of cybercrime.
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