DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Dutch news & articles
Expats found to be particularly vulnerable to Dutch telephone scams
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Expats found to be particularly vulnerable to Dutch telephone scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

1 in 10 drivers on Dutch roads exceed legal speed limit1 in 10 drivers on Dutch roads exceed legal speed limit
Millions of addresses available online after major Dutch data leak Millions of addresses available online after major Dutch data leak
Drunk passenger bites leg of police officer at Eindhoven AirportDrunk passenger bites leg of police officer at Eindhoven Airport
Not a single fine issued since the start of Amsterdam cannabis banNot a single fine issued since the start of Amsterdam cannabis ban
1 dead, 16 injured after cargo ship catches fire off Dutch coast1 dead, 16 injured after cargo ship catches fire off Dutch coast
Storm Poly caused 50 to 100 million euros of damage in the NetherlandsStorm Poly caused 50 to 100 million euros of damage in the Netherlands
Dutch supermarkets see increase in cases of shoplifting in 2022Dutch supermarkets see increase in cases of shoplifting in 2022
Counter-Terrorism Unit: The Netherlands more regularly cited as target for attacksCounter-Terrorism Unit: The Netherlands more regularly cited as target for attacks
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Feb 9, 2023
Victoria Séveno
Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association in London. She has a love for all things movies, animals, and food. Read more

According to data from the Dutch Fraud Helpdesk (Fraudehelpdesk), the Netherlands saw an 18 percent increase in reported telephone scams in 2022, with the organisation's director reporting that expats are particularly vulnerable to fraud.

The Netherlands sees increase in telephone scams in 2022

As a non-governmental organisation, the Fraud Helpdesk aims to protect residents of the Netherlands from scams. Last year, the organisation received around 500.000 emails and phone calls from members of the public regarding scams or other attempts at fraud. Overall, NOS reports that the financial damage of scams amounted to over 43 million euros in 2022. 

Interestingly, last year saw an 18 percent in the number of reported telephone scams, with Marloes Kolthof, the director of the Fraud Helpdesk, explaining to NOS that an increasing number of scams are perpetrated by highly educated individuals, who use the dark web to gather information that can be used to carry out scams. 

Many scam operations carried out by phone make use of an English-language tape, with scammers posing as representatives from a bank, for example. Kolthof explains that, as many expats and internationals living and working in the Netherlands aren’t fully familiar with Dutch systems, they can be particularly vulnerable and are more likely to give their bank details to scammers or agree to transfer money over the phone. 

Fraudehelpdesk: Don't share details or transfer money over the phone

Other common scams in 2022 included so-called web shop fraud, when customers see an offer online that appears perhaps too good to be true, but never receive their order. There was also an increase in reports of fraud involving the misuse of company data, leading to damage worth 12,5 million euros - an increase of 20 percent compared to 2021.

Speaking to NOS, Kolthof advised members of the public to be wary when they receive unexpected phone calls. “Never transfer money based on a phone call or text message,” she says, adding that it can be a good idea to take the time contact the company or organisation that is supposedly contacting you in order to be sure that the information you have received is correct.

Thumb: fizkes via Shutterstock.com.

By Victoria Séveno