You get an app with a reminder from a government agency. Whether you want to transfer money because you still have a fine open. And before you know it, you suddenly became a victim of cyber criminals. To increase awareness about digital crime, the action day #echtnietvandaag starts today.
The campaign is aimed at young people, SMEs and people who are less digital. In 2024, 2.4 million Dutch people became victims of digital crime. “That is probably the tip of the iceberg,” says Mascha Meijer of the Regional Information and Expertise Center for the Northern Netherlands.
Only two in ten Dutchmen reports, Meijer explains. “We also think that there are still a large number of victims that are not reporting. The numbers are huge and are still rising.”
“Some may think it doesn’t make much sense to report,” explains Anno Wietze Hiemstra. In addition to his mayor of Aa and Hunze, he is also working on digital safety in Drenthe. “Others have a sense of shame if, for example, you are scammed for thousands of euros.” He emphasizes that you should always report it if you have fallen victim to digital crime. “Even if you don’t trust it, report it to the police.”
Twenty percent of the victims are young people. According to Hiemstra, this is because young people are more active online than other target groups. The elderly are also more sensitive to online fraud. Yet a student thinks that the youth is less likely to be led than the elderly. “My grandfather thought he had won the lottery. Then he happily blocked his bank account, so that ended well.”
An older passer -by sometimes has to do with so -called Phishing mails: “Then I will receive an email from the Judicial Collection Agency that I still have to pay a fine. I will look at the sender. If there is a strange e-mail address, I will immediately throw it away.”
Another woman is alert to what she receives in emails and apps. “Then I am suddenly a mother or sister and they always ask for money. I never respond to this and block it.”
If you receive an app or an email from, for example, an energy supplier that you do not trust, it is wise that you check it with that energy supplier, says Meijer. “If you unexpectedly become a victim, you are not ashamed and report to the police and report. Then we can continue with this.”