Elderly in NL and BE Tricked by Police Impersonators in Jewelry Heists

An elderly woman in Geldermalsen, Netherlands, received a phone call from someone posing as a police officer who claimed her bank account had problems and asked for photos of her jewellery. The caller then sent a man claiming to be an officer to collect the items. The woman called 112, leading police to stop a vehicle in Culemborg and arrest two suspects – a minor from Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht and a 19‑year‑old from Papendrecht – who were found with the victim’s belongings.

A similar scheme occurred in Geel, Belgium, where an 89‑year‑old was told by impostors that police would safeguard her valuables. The fake officers entered her home and took several pieces of jewellery, later claiming they would be returned. Both incidents prompted police warnings to verify any unexpected police visits and to avoid handing over valuables.

Separately, Dutch authorities alert the public to a new credit‑card fraud method using Apple Pay and Google Pay. Criminals obtain card details via phishing, add the card to their own device, and make purchases, causing average losses of over €1,000 per victim. Advice includes never sharing verification codes, regularly checking statements, and contacting banks immediately if suspicious activity is seen.