Eight people have been arrested by the Federal Judicial Police (FJP) in Brussels as part of a large-scale investigation into bank helpline fraud operating on social media platform Snapchat.
The FJP conducted several searches on Thursday 27 February. Officers arrested eight suspects linked to at least 20 cases in which victims' bank cards were obtained and used for fraudulent transactions.
"The victims of the fraud were mainly vulnerable people over the age of 60," the FJP said in a statement. "The financial losses for the victims range from several thousand to tens of thousands of euros, with exceptional cases where the loss amounts to almost €100,000."
On Friday 28 February, five of the suspects were brought before Brussels' Dutch-speaking Court of First Instance, which confirmed their arrest. The Council Chamber has since extended their pre-trial detention by one month.
Posing as bank employees
The investigation was launched when several financial institutions reported a hotspot – a Brussels night shop – where several of the victims' bank cards were being used.
The case gained momentum on 2 January when Mechelen police arrested a suspect who had come to collect a bank card from the home of one of the victims. On 12 February, the Antwerp police arrested two other suspects who again came to collect a card from another victim. "The confiscation of their mobile phones helped police gain insight into their modus operandi and identify other suspects."
Victims who click on a fraudulent link in an email or text message unwittingly provide their bank details. "They are then called by fraudsters posing as bank employees and persuaded to hand over their bank cards," the FJP said. This gave the criminals access to their current and savings accounts.
The arrested suspects received orders via Snapchat, instructing them to collect bank cards from the victims. The people running the scam, who manage the various social media accounts, have an extensive network of call takers – people who make contact with the victims – and card collectors. The latter received a commission of up to 20% on the fraudulent transactions.
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The bank accounts were completely emptied through transactions, online payments and the purchase of cryptocurrencies. With this money, scammers paid for luxury goods, exclusive parties, VIP arrangements in clubs, and the rental of Airbnbs and vehicles. The stolen bank cards were mainly used to withdraw cash from ATMs and to purchase PAYSAFE vouchers at convenience stores and petrol stations.
The suspects' mobile phones and Snapchat accounts are being analysed to identify the ringleaders.
Police are calling on people to be extra vigilant and aware of how fraudsters operate. "A real bank will never ask for personal details over the phone and will never come and collect a bank card from your home." People who have previously been victims of this type of fraud are asked to report it to their local police department, while people who think they are being scammed should immediately call the emergency number 101.
