Immigration update — Netherlands: IND warns for phone scams, also known as ‘spoofing’
The Dutch Immigration Authorities (IND) warn people about these phone scams, also known as ‘spoofing,’ in an official message published on their website.
Who will be affected?
Everyone could receive these fraudsters call and comply with their demands. They target mainly those with a residence permit who have an ongoing application or a family member with the same. These targets are more likely to be concerned about their message and comply with fraudulent requests.
Background
It is nothing new, and Santa Fe Immigration has been warning about this in our milestone emails to the assignees and employees. However, the Dutch authorities have recently seen the number of people affected by fraudulent actions increase. This has triggered their urge to publish it and create awareness.
Impact
The fraudsters will call you directly, making it appear that the call comes from the IND’s customer information centre (KIC). The phone number of this department, +31 88 043 0430, will show up on the victim’s phone as they call. They are making the victim believe that the IND calls them. They will try to force you into transferring money to them.
Santa Fe recommendation
We recommend that you be alert when you receive a phone call from the Dutch authorities. The immigration authorities will never call you to ask you for personal details or to transfer money. Also, when the IND calls you, you will see the IND’s phone number on your screen as you receive their call. The IND will neither use an aggressive or forceful tone with you nor demand you to act ‘or else’.
When you receive a phone call from the immigration authorities, we recommend taking their name, number and email address and providing this to your immigration consultant. Santa Fe Relocation will be able to verify and determine if the phone call was fraudulent.
For more information or assistance, please contact:
Diana van der Horst
Immigration Consultant, BeNeLux
Santa Fe Relocation
Alphen aan den Rijn
D: +31 (0) 172 44 7975
E: NLimmigration@santaferelo.com
Marta Lozano Sanchez
Immigration Consultant, Netherlands
Santa Fe Relocation
Alphen aan den Rijn
D: +31 (0) 172 44 79 78
M: +31 (0) 6 2951 0261
E: NLimmigration@santaferelo.com
Anique Borchert
Immigration Manager, BeNeLux
Santa Fe Relocation
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
D: +31 172 447971
M: +31 (0) 6 3089 4331
E: anique.borchert@santaferelo.com
