Research firm Ipsos was commissioned by ABN AMRO to investigate the difference between experiences with online scams and traditional forms of crime. The study found that more than half of Dutch people would be embarrassed if they were a victim of online fraud. With traditional forms of crime, such as pickpocketing or home burglary, on average only a quarter say they would feel stupid or ashamed. Also, victims of online scams are more reluctant to share their stories than victims of traditional crime. HAGENS used these results to draw media attention to the issue.
With the “Fraudeverhalen” campaign (literally translated “fraud stories”), ABN AMRO is giving fraud victims a face and showing that anyone can become a victim of online scams, regardless of your age. The bank asked victims of various forms of fraud to tell their true stories. In this way, ABN AMRO hopes to encourage others to share their stories as well.
Numerous media brought attention to the study. For example, Metro interviewed a victim of online fraud, Telegraaf spoke with an expert from the police and the Nederlands Dagblad and Plus Online wrote an article about it. In addition, Neiske Ritsma of ABN AMRO explained the study on RTL Nieuws and NPO Radio 1.
