Phishing · Identity · AI Security
AI-generated calls and fake app scam cost Dutch bank customers €380,000
Dutch police arrested two men accused of using AI-generated phone calls and a fake banking app to steal card data from 170 people, causing €380,000 in losses.
Ross Grant2 min read
The short version
Dutch police say two men used AI-generated phone calls and a fake banking app to trick people into scanning their bank cards. The app captured card data using NFC technology, letting criminals steal money from victims’ accounts. 170 people lost a total of €380,000 in just three weeks. If you get a call asking you to scan your card, hang up and call your bank directly.
By the numbers
- 170people lost money in the scamSecurity Affairs
- €380,000total amount stolen in three weeksSecurity Affairs
What happened?
Dutch police arrested two men accused of using AI-generated phone calls, a fake banking app, and NFC technology to steal card data. The scheme allegedly targeted 170 people across the Netherlands and caused €380,000 in losses in three weeks. Only Security Affairs has reported this so far.
How the attack worked
According to Security Affairs (opens in a new tab), Dutch police arrested two men for running a new kind of bank fraud. The scheme used AI-generated phone calls to trick people into thinking their bank accounts were at risk. Victims received a recorded message warning of suspicious activity. The message asked them to press 1 if they did not recognise the activity, which connected them to someone pretending to be a bank employee.
The fake employee pressured victims to act quickly, following a prepared script. They told people to download a fake banking app and scan their bank card against their phone. The app used near-field communication (NFC) technology, which is the same tech behind contactless payments, to capture the card’s data. This information was sent to an accomplice, who could then withdraw money from cash machines or payment terminals, often without the victim realising.
Police said they had not seen this technical method before. The fraud ran for just three weeks but affected people across the Netherlands, with dozens of victims in their twenties and thirties.
Who is affected
The scam targeted people across the Netherlands and did not focus on a single age group. Out of 170 victims, dozens were in their twenties and thirties. The total loss reported was about €380,000. Victims were persuaded to scan their cards, giving criminals the data needed to steal money from their accounts.
The response
Dutch police arrested a 23-year-old man suspected of developing the technology and a 25-year-old accused of coordinating the operation. Both are from Gelderland. A Rotterdam court ordered them to remain in custody for at least another 90 days while the investigation continues. The case began when Dutch banks reported the fraud to the Electronic Crimes Task Force, a partnership between banks, police and prosecutors. Investigators quickly traced the digital infrastructure, monitored servers, and linked the phone calls and cash withdrawals to the suspects.
What you should do
If you ever receive a call claiming to be from your bank and are asked to scan your card with an app, hang up immediately. Always call your bank using the number printed on your card, not one given over the phone. Never install apps or share card details at someone else’s request, even if the caller sounds convincing. AI-generated voices can sound real, but banks will never ask you to scan your card to block fraud.
No primary source or official police statement has been published yet. Only Security Affairs has reported the details so far.
Why it matters
This case shows how criminals are combining AI and mobile technology to create convincing scams. Even tech-savvy people can be caught out by realistic-sounding phone calls and official-looking apps. Understanding how these scams work can help you avoid them.
Key points
- AI-generated calls can make scams more convincing.
- Fake banking apps can steal card data using NFC technology.
- 170 people lost €380,000 in three weeks.
- Victims were persuaded to scan their cards, giving criminals access.
- Always call your bank directly if you receive a suspicious request.
Sources
Security Affairs
Reference
