Report fraud or abuse

Do you think that someone is committing fraud to get or keep a residence permit? Or do you suspect that someone is abusing their right of residence in the Netherlands? Find out how and in which situations to report this.

Do you want to report a phishing attempt? If so, go to Phishing: recognise and report a fake IND message.

Report online

You can report a case to the IND if you think that someone is committing fraud to obtain or keep a residence permit. Or if someone is abusing their right of residence in the Netherlands.

Report fraud or abuse

Anonymous or with personal details

Are you reporting fraud or abuse on behalf of a company or organisation? If so, you must fill in your contact details in the report. In other situations, you may also choose to report anonymously. In that case, your identity will remain unknown to the IND.

It helps the IND if you give your contact details in your report. It gives us the opportunity to contact you if anything is unclear or if information is missing.

Add information to a report

Do you have extra information about a report you have already submitted? If so, use the online fraud form again. Under ‘Details’, choose ‘Additional information about a previous notification’. Fill in the reference number of your previous report.

Report by post

Is it not possible for you to use the online fraud form? Send a letter by post to the IND. In the letter, explain why you suspect fraud or abuse. Send the letter to the following address:

Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst
Attn. Handhavingsinformatieknooppunt (HIK)
Postbus 17
9560 AA Ter Apel

What can you report to the IND

Report to the IND any situations involving fraud, abuse or criminal activity relating to residence permits and immigration. You can report:

a person who is in the Netherlands;
a person who is not yet in the Netherlands but has applied for, or is about to apply for, a visa or residence permit;
a company in the Netherlands;
a sponsor or a recognised sponsor in the Netherlands.

Examples of reports

These are some examples of situations you can report to the IND:

Someone is having a sham marriage or sham relationship to obtain a residence permit.
Someone is falsifying documents or is using false or falsified documents to get or keep a residence permit. For example, a passport or diploma that is not real.
You think that someone is not being honest about their income. For example, someone has submitted a fake employment contract with their application for a residence permit. Or someone is abusing the Personal Care Budget (PGB).
You believe that a (recognised) sponsor is not treating foreign workers properly.
You think that someone is guilty of human trafficking or people smuggling.
You believe that someone has been involved in a serious crime outside the Netherlands. This refers to an offence listed in Article 1F of the UN Refugee Convention. This person has a Dutch residence permit or wants to apply for one.
Someone who has or has applied for a residence permit may be involved in extremism, terrorism or a state threat.

When should you report to another organisation?

Do you want to report something else? If so, you can report it to another organisation. This includes, for example, the following situations:

You are a victim of a crime: Report it to the police.
You think that one or more people are residing in the Netherlands illegally: Report it to the police.
You believe that someone is committing fraud involving social assistance benefits or the Personal Care Budget (PGB): Report this to the Social Investigations Department (in Dutch: Sociale Recherche). Note that this webpage is available in Dutch only.
You think that someone is working illegally: Report this to the Tax and Customs Administration (in Dutch: Belastingdienst). Note that this webpage is available in Dutch only.
You want to report unfair, unsafe or unhealthy working conditions or labour exploitation: Report this to the Netherlands Labour Inspectorate (in Dutch: Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie).
You think that a person or company based in another country is committing a crime relating to immigration to the Netherlands: Report it to the police and report it to the relevant authorities in that country.

You can also report these situations anonymously via www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl/english.

How the IND handles a report

The IND assesses as quickly as possible whether a report is clear. And whether it is necessary to launch an investigation. If the investigation reveals that abuse or fraud has taken place, the IND may take action.

For example, we may withdraw the residence permit of a person who commits fraud or abuses their right of residence in the Netherlands. Or we may reject an application for a residence permit. If it concerns a crime, such as fraud or falsified documents (forgery), the IND will also report the matter to the police.

Confidential treatment

As a general rule, we do not share your personal details with anyone. We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR is a law governing privacy in the Netherlands.

It is sometimes necessary to share your personal details or other information from the report with organisations that work with us. These are our cooperation organisations, such as the Netherlands Labour Inspectorate (NLA), a municipality or the immigration police. We only do this if it is absolutely necessary and if you have given us your consent to do so in the form.

Outcome of your report

You will not receive any information about the outcome of your report. The IND is not allowed to share this information with you. This is laid down in the GDPR.

Questions?

Do you have any questions about reporting fraud or abuse? Or are you having trouble making a report? Call us at 088 – 043 6663. We are available from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 17:00.