Online fraudsters stole at least €24m using phishing and bank card scams last year, double the 2018 amount, according to new figures from the Dutch banking association NVB.

Fraudsters are also increasingly trying to source victims via text messages, Whatsapp, Facebook and online market Marktplaats, the NVB said. In total, thieves got away with €8m alone by managing to access internet banking security codes.

The NVB also said thieves are increasingly using real events in an effort to sound reasonable, for example by posing as banks and asking clients to pay money for an ‘antibacterial’ bank card.