Overview
- Police launched the second phase Monday by showing 79 suspects’ faces without blur across websites, TV, stations, roadside screens and social media, and they report a surge in tips.
- By Tuesday, authorities and regional reports counted 48 recognized suspects nationwide, including seven tied to Brabant cases and two in the Utrecht and Zeist files, with photos taken down after identification and follow‑up still pending.
- The rollout followed a two‑week window in which 100 blurred images were posted and 21 people were identified or self‑reported, with prosecutors approving each case before any unblurring.
- Defense lawyers argue that publishing faces risks disproportionate, lasting harm to privacy, including for possible innocents or minors, and some regional outlets declined to republish the recognizable photos.
- The campaign targets bank‑helpdesk scams and fake police callers that often hit older people, a crime type that drew a record 13,000 reports last year and cases of seniors losing cash, bank cards and jewelry.