Police in the Netherlands are warning the public about a new form of bank helpdesk fraud in which criminals talk victims into installing an app and then holding their bank card against their own phone, according to Omroep West. The outlet reports that the method has already produced a large number of victims in a short period.
How the scam works
According to the police account described by Omroep West, the fraud begins with a phone call. Someone claiming to work for the victim's bank says suspicious transactions have been detected on the account. In some cases, recipients hear an automated recorded message instead of a live caller.
The criminals have used artificial intelligence to generate dozens of different audio fragments, featuring various voices and the names of different banks and companies, Omroep West reports. The target is then told to act quickly to stop the bank card, and is asked to install an app on their phone.
After that, the victim is instructed to place their bank card against the handset. Through the installed app, the criminals are able to capture data from the card's NFC chip, the component that enables contactless payments. An accomplice, who according to the police is often already waiting at a cash machine, then withdraws money using a phone that imitates the victim's card.
Why it matters
The scam turns a routine security concern — a call about a compromised account — into a direct route to emptying a bank account. It requires no card to be handed over and no PIN to be shared, which makes it harder for victims to recognise the danger while it is happening. Omroep West reports that in just three weeks, fraudsters took roughly 380,000 euros from about 170 victims.
The police have urged people to stay alert, refuse to cooperate and warn others. Officers stressed that a bank will never ask a customer to hold their bank card against their phone, and will never ask for a PIN code. Anyone who doubts a call should contact their bank using its official number, or reach the police on 0900-8844.
Two suspects held as court extends detention
Two men have been arrested in connection with the fraud. Omroep West, citing reporting by Rijnmond, identifies them as a 23-year-old from Vaassen and a 25-year-old from Ede. The Rotterdam court decided on Tuesday that both will remain in custody for at least three more months while the case proceeds to a hearing.
The older suspect is accused of playing a coordinating role within the criminal group, according to the outlet. The other is suspected of being the technical specialist behind the fraud and of having a directing role as well.
The case is scheduled to continue before the Rotterdam court, with both suspects held pending that hearing.
