Dutch cybercrime grows as AI and international threats rise

Digital insecurity in the Netherlands is growing due to the increased use of AI and threats from international criminal organizations, according to police and the Public Prosecution Service. An estimated 2.5 million Dutch people became victims of cybercrime or online fraud in 2025. The threat landscape is changing rapidly, with state actors increasingly using hybrid warfare that combines military means with cyberattacks and disinformation. Criminals can now collaborate faster and share knowledge more easily, using combined stolen data to pressure victims into immediate action, often impersonating banks or crypto platforms. AI is not fundamentally changing cybercrime but is increasing its speed, scale, and effectiveness in areas like phishing and malware development. Authorities emphasize that an effective response requires collaboration between public and private parties and international investigative services, focusing on prevention, disruption, and rapid victim notification.