Reporting cybercrime to the police

How to deal with cybercrime

Has someone tried to scam you or someone in your company via email, text, or WhatsApp? If you are a victim of cybercrime, it is important that you retain as much evidence as possible (for example a fake invoice) without changing anything. File a police report immediately. With the evidence, the police and the Public Prosecution Service can investigate. Together with statements from others, it might be possible to combine information and provide insight into the way the criminal (organisation) acted. The more information, the greater the chance that the investigation will be successful. The reports also make it possible to recognise new forms of cybercrime and to adapt security software, antivirus programs, and systems. If you are insured against cybercrime and submit a claim for compensation, your insurance company will ask for a copy of the police report.

Information needed when reporting to the police

When you make an appointment to file the police report, ask for the presence of a digital detective. This helps in formulating and including a statement that is as complete as possible. You will be asked for information based on the legal text and therefore on the elements of the criminal offence, such as:

• Is it a declaration against a private individual or a company?
• Have security measures been taken?
• What is the estimated damage (hours in money, immaterial damage, in Dutch) and what are the repair costs?
• Is there a suspect?

If you have discovered a data breach, you always need to report it to the Dutch Data Protection Authority. Even if the breach has not led to a cybercrime yet.