Reports are flooding in from across the province of Groningen about rogue handymen deceiving unsuspecting homeowners with offers for services which are then priced exorbitantly. These ‘handymen’ then intimidate their victims in order to get paid.
Friendly faces, fierce tactics: How “handymen” scammers reel you in
English-speaking men have been seen driving around Winsum, Bedum, Groningen’s northern neighbourhoods, and other areas like Westerkwartier. They randomly knock on doors, offering services ranging from painting and cleaning to fixing leaky gutters and weeding gardens.
Initially, they agree to a reasonable price for the job. However, once the work is done, the price skyrockets. Those who refuse to pay face threats and intimidation, often leading them to pay the inflated costs for subpar work.
Scam in action: Residents report suspicious activity in Ruischerwaard
Last Saturday, these scammers were spotted in the Groningen neighborhood of Ruischerwaard. Multiple residents saw the van and the ‘handymen’ in the area. “They were taking pictures and making notes of houses,” explained one resident. “When I approached them, they said with an Irish accent that they were working on the paving, but they didn’t have any flyers or anything. I called the police, who advised me to post it on the neighbourhood app and promised to patrol the area more frequently.”
The police spokesperson in Groningen confirmed receiving reports from all over the province but mentioned that there’s little they can do without evidence of a crime. “Charging a higher price than initially agreed upon qualifies as such a crime. We urge residents to report these incidents explicitly.”
White vans, red flags: Scammers leave trail of fraud across Netherlands
Earlier this year, the gang was active in the Amsterdam area, where the police also issued warnings about their fraudulent activities. The scammers typically travel in white vans, similar to the one pictured above, with English or Irish license plates.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.
Image via WikiUser Alexander Migl, license here
