Reports of elderly people who have been robbed by criminals impersonating policemen are rocketing, latest police figures have shown.

In 2024 over 8,000 people reported an incident involving bogus policemen, compared to 544 the year before, and 1,600 people fell for the trick and lost their valuables.

“This type of scam has exploded in the last year. It is becoming more organised and is exclusively aimed at people over 70,” police high impact crime chief Sybren van der Veen Walda told broadcaster NOS.

Two in 10 people fall for the scam in which perpetrators ring the victim first, telling them, for instance, that their personal data has been found in the possession of burglars and offering to come and collect their money and jewellery to keep it safe.

“They get the information about their victims from data traded on the internet,” Van der Velden Walda said. “They already know quite a lot about them and will win their trust for instance by saying they have already spoken to their son or daughter,” he said.

Recent warnings about bogus policemen were issued in Goor, Best-Oirschot and Beilen. “The errand boys are sent to various addresses in one night,” Van der Velden Walda said. Raids have uncovered complete call centres full of people ringing potential victims, he said.

The bogus policemen often wear jackets resembling police attire bought online. “Not only is this a ruthless type of scam, it is also blackening the good name of the police. That is why we are doing our utmost to catch these people,” Van der Velden Walda said. Some 357 people were arrested last year.

Police said that publicity about the scam is raising awareness. More people are coming forward, even if they feel ashamed they have been duped.

“Every story we hear shows how ruthless they are. One woman who had her money and jewellery ready to be collected by the bogus policeman was told ‘Madam, I see you are wearing a nice necklace and a wedding ring, it would be better if you put them with the rest’. They stop at nothing,” he said.