Holsbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Holsbeek citizens must be aware of impersonators pretending to be police officers who will attempt to deceive residents through bank account warnings. The caller deceives victims by a telephone call with a concerning notification about their bank account.
The Holsbeek police force recently issued an official notice about individuals pretending to be police officers who carry out fraud schemes. The criminals initiate distressing phone conversations, prompting bank account holders to expose their banking information.
The crime perpetrators staged a fraudulent visit to a victim’s residence through an illegal presentment of fake police attire. Walter Vranckx, who holds the position of Chief of Police, declared that this type of imposture represents a dangerous evolution in the kinds of local fraudulent schemes.
The Bierbeek / Boutersem / Holsbeek / Lubbeek police zone warns of a new type of fraud.
“We are increasingly seeing fraudsters trying to get bank details by phone,”
Says Walter Vranckx.
“But people pretending to be police officers, that is new. They call victims to report problems with their accounts. That is how they try to extract bank details.“
It is not yet clear whether money has been stolen, but at least 7 reports have been received. The scammers even visited a victim.
“Suddenly, they were standing at the back door in fake uniforms,”
Says the police chief.
“It goes without saying that we take this very seriously. We are trying to catch the scammers, but we want to warn people in advance.”
“Always be vigilant when making phone calls,”
Vranckx emphasises.
“We never ask for bank details, certainly not by phone. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of agents, definitely ask for proof or call the emergency number. They can always check whether a team has been sent to the scene.”
What is the history of police impersonation fraud?
Police impersonation fraud has existed historically but has developed extensively over successive years. Law enforcement impersonation scams have traditionally used criminal actors who convinced victims through false law enforcement pretences. Scammers have deployed refined tactics through phone-based schemes that force victims to divulge their personal and financial details during the recent increase in fraud activities. Fake police uniforms, which criminals use like in Holsbeek, demonstrate a worrying new development in this type of criminal activity. Research shows this type of crime occurs throughout the world, where criminals prey on defenceless populations, mostly focusing on senior citizens.
Based on Europol statistics, financial scams characterised by impersonation grew by 30% during the previous ten years while generating billions in annual losses. The Belgian authorities have consistently warned people about phone scammers because official officers from the police force never ask for bank information by phone.
