The arrested man in his twenties is suspected of involvement in several robberies in Zuid-Scharwoude and Sint Pancras. The North Holland District Police has announced that the investigation will continue and more arrests cannot be ruled out.
Last week, a 17-year-old boy reported to the police after showing camera images in Opsporing Verzocht and Bureau NH. He was filmed withdrawing money with a victim’s bank card in Bovenkarspel, along De Middend. He has been interrogated and must answer to the examining magistrate at a later date. Earlier this month, a 20-year-old man from the municipality of Dijk en Waard was arrested. He’s still stuck.
Pretend to be a young woman
According to the police, research shows that two groups are active in setting up fake dates to subsequently rob and extort victims. One group consists of 5 to 8 people, the other of 3 or 4. Whether the two groups work together is still being investigated, but the working method is similar, according to the police.
They pretend to be young women on dating apps. An appointment is then made at an often remote location. There the victims are robbed, abused and extorted. “They seem to be using more and more violence. Several victims ended up in hospital,” said a police spokesperson.
At least fourteen incidents have been reported in North Holland North since May 2023.