# Two arrested over alleged bank helpdesk fraud on 170 people

> Rotterdam police arrested two men on 6 October over an alleged new bank helpdesk scam that used card chip data to take about €380,000. They say a bank never asks you to download an app or hold your card to your phone.

Society · published 2026-10-21 17:34 · https://nlnow.nl/a/police-break-gang-that-drained-170-bank-accounts-by-phone/

Police in Rotterdam say they have broken up a gang suspected of a new form of bank helpdesk fraud. Team Cybercrime arrested two suspects on 6 October: a man (23) from Vaassen and a man (25) from Ede. On Tuesday 20 October the Rotterdam court extended their pre-trial detention by 90 days.

Police say the gang victimised about 170 people from all over the country, with total losses of about €380,000. Team Cybercrime says victims were of all ages, including dozens of people in their twenties and thirties.

Police describe the method as follows. Victims were called and heard an automated message. After some hold music, a fake bank employee came on the line and pressured them to act fast. To "block" the bank card, they had to download an app and hold the card against the phone.

The app let the fraudsters use data from the card's NFC chip, the chip used for contactless payments. At the same time, an accomplice, a so-called pinner, stood ready at a cash machine to withdraw money. According to police, thousands of euros disappeared from accounts without the victims noticing.

Police took the servers used for the fraud offline and are examining their data. They also seized the suspects' phones and laptops.

Lead investigator Van Well said the inquiry targeted the organisers, not just the people withdrawing cash. "Pinners are easily replaced. Only by tackling someone in a crucial position do you really hit a criminal group and prevent more victims."

Police warn: "Your bank never asks you to download an app, hold your bank card against your phone or give your PIN." Anyone in doubt about a call from the bank should hang up and call the bank's official number, police advise. Victims should call their bank straight away and report it to the police.

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