Belgian and Dutch authorities announced the arrest of eight individuals suspected of participating in a fraud scheme that included phishing, online scams, money laundering, and other illegal activities.

On December 3, as part of an investigation started in 2022, law enforcement agencies in the two countries conducted 17 searches and seized electronic devices, cash, luxury watches and jewelry, as well as a firearm.

According to Europol, the cybercriminal group caught the attention of Belgian authorities in 2022, while the Dutch authorities were involved a year later, after it was determined that the main suspect was operating out of Rotterdam.

Four individuals were arrested last week in Belgium for their suspected roles in the illicit operation, with four others, three men and one woman, arrested in the Netherlands. While still a suspect, the woman was released from custody.

The Dutch authorities say that a fifth individual was arrested in Belgium “at the request of the Dutch police, through an international arrest warrant”.

The cybercriminal group relied on phishing (via email, text messages, WhatsApp) to direct victims to fake bank login pages and steal their personal and login information. Additionally, the suspects approached older victims at their doors, claiming to be police officers or banking staff.

Posing as bank employees, the miscreants approached victims in at least ten European countries claiming their accounts were fraudulent and that they could help resolve the issue. The group is estimated to have stolen several million euros.

The suspects set up call centers in a luxury residential tower and AirBnB homes, and used the stolen funds on designer clothing, expensive watches, luxury holidays, and parties in expensive clubs, the Dutch authorities say.

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