Almost one in five Amsterdammers was the victim of online crime in 2021. This is evident from a new research, carried out by the municipality of Amsterdam. According to the study, higher educated people were on average more often victims than lower educated people. The over-65s indicated that they had been victims less often than younger people.
Of the Amsterdammers (15,908) who completed the Amsterdam-Amstelland Security Monitor in 2021, it appears that 18 percent have fallen victim to online crime. “The point here is that people have actually become victims, or have fallen for something,” writes researcher Nathalie Bosman.
Purchase fraud
Of the various forms of online crime, purchase fraud was the most common (7 percent). This concerns fraud when purchasing via the internet. Of 6 and 3 percent, respectively, an account or device was hacked. Forms such as online threats, identity fraud and shame texting are less common.
The differences in background are striking: in 2021, two in ten (21 percent) Amsterdammers with an HBO/WO education were the victim of one or more forms of online crime. On the other hand, 18 percent of people with an MBO, HAVO or VWO education.
Almost half of all victims reported the crime to the police, the Fraud Help Desk, a bank or other organisation.
