Cell sentences demanded for friend-in-need fraud

The suspects operated according to an established pattern. They arranged bank cards through so-called money mules so that they could access the accounts of these money mules. The bank accounts were then used for friend-in-need fraud.

In this type of fraud, perpetrators impersonate an acquaintance of the victim. Through a WhatsApp message, they indicate that he or she has a new phone number, and that money is needed quickly. Once victims had transferred money, the suspects arranged for the money to be withdrawn quickly. In this way, more than 82,000 euros was taken from victims.

The suspects stated that they arranged the bank cards on behalf of third parties. The two men declined to say to whom they subsequently transferred the money, although they did say that they were allowed to keep a percentage of the profits.

Victims were defrauded of amounts ranging from 500 to over 12,000 euros. According to the officer, they suffered greatly from the scam. "They spent hours surveying everything, providing the police with information. And then the misery of being robbed, scammed, of losing your money. These are large sums of money that have been taken away. Many victims say they have lost confidence in the digital world, in online banking, in WhatsApp."

The prosecutor sought a 3-year prison sentence and a 28-month sentence for money laundering, fraud and hacking, among other charges. She did so in view of "the thick documentation, the seriousness of the offenses, the deviousness with which they were committed, and the organized nexus in which. The two played a crucial and deliberate role." One of the two was additionally charged with possession of a prohibited weapon; the other is further suspected of assault and residential burglaries.

The officer believes the two defendants should compensate the victims; therefore, she also asked for a sentence of restitution. She wants that to be "coupled with a substantial number of days of hostage-taking, so that restitution is the only option."

Prevent friend-in-need fraud

In friend-in-need fraud, a perpetrator poses as an acquaintance of the victim. Through a WhatsApp message, "the acquaintance" says he has a new phone number and needs money quickly. The perpetrator asks for the money to be transferred to a bank account. The victim thinks it is the acquaintance's account. In reality, the account number belongs to a money mule, someone who lets his or her account be used by criminals.

If an acquaintance asks via WhatsApp, or any other social platform, to transfer money, always verify that you are actually in contact with this person, even if they are indicated to respond quickly.

• Call the acquaintance at the number you have for that person

• If you do not succeed in making phone contact, assume scam until proven otherwise

• Never transfer money before you have spoken with the acquaintance

• If time pressure is mentioned, assume fraud until proven otherwise

• Companies never give a time limit of at most a few hours within which an invoice must be paid.