Overview
- A 15-year-old from Schiedam, who was arrested on Tuesday, is suspected in 17 bank‑helpdesk frauds that police say yielded about €30,000 in jewelry and mobile phones.
- A minor from Hendrik‑Ido‑Ambacht and a 19-year-old from Papendrecht were detained after an attempted babbeltruc against an elderly woman in Geldermalsen that led officers to stop a vehicle in Culemborg and recover the victim’s belongings.
- The Schiedam suspect is in custody and due to be presented to the examining magistrate while the two men from the Geldermalsen case remain held and are being questioned by investigators.
- Police describe the method as a bank‑helpdesk or babbeltruc scam in which callers pose as bank staff or police and then send or send someone to the door to collect cards, jewelry or phones for supposed safekeeping.
- Authorities warn the perpetrators keep changing tactics, urge people not to hand over cards or valuables to unverified callers or visitors, and note that cases involving minors will be handled under juvenile procedures.