FC Groningen rocked by identity theft scam involving fake transfer talks
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- FC Groningen have reported an identity theft scam to the police.
- An English player was left stranded at Schiphol after a fake transfer.
- The fraudsters used forged contracts, fake emails and payment links.
The elaborate scam, which has already prompted official police reports, culminated in one particularly distressing case involving an unnamed English footballer who travelled to the Netherlands expecting to complete a move to the Eredivisie club - only to discover the transfer never existed.
FC Groningen file police reports over identity fraud
Groningen and Allach have formally reported the incidents to the police after discovering that criminals had been posing as club officials in conversations with agents across Europe.According to the club, the fraudsters contacted representatives by telephone and email using convincing fake identities.
They backed up their approach with forged documents carrying Groningen's official logo, club colours and corporate details, creating the appearance of legitimate transfer negotiations.
The scheme became even more convincing as discussions progressed.
Once a supposed agreement had been reached, the scammers requested payments, claiming the money was needed to cover routine transfer expenses.
That is then supposedly for a medical examination, travel costs and flights.The level of planning has convinced the club that the operation is being run by an organised criminal network rather than an individual acting alone.
English footballer left waiting at Schiphol Airport
The most striking example involved an English player who flew to the Netherlands believing he was about to sign for Groningen.Head scout Arno de Jong revealed the player arrived at Schiphol Airport expecting club representatives to collect him before travelling to Groningen.
Instead, nobody appeared.
There was actually an English player waiting at Schiphol for transport to Groningen.The consequences extended well beyond an embarrassing journey.
He really thought he was coming to play for us. But when no one from our side showed up to pick him up, they started to smell a rat.
According to de Jong, there is a strong possibility the player's agent transferred money to the fraudsters during the fake negotiations.
Even more painfully, the player had reportedly rejected offers from other clubs because he believed the Groningen move was genuine.
He had even turned down other clubs, who were really interested. Truly very sad.
Fake contract exposed by crucial mistake
The scam also targeted Danish midfielder Julius Madsen of AC Horsens.Documents obtained by RTV Noord showed a forged contract proposal offering Madsen a four-year deal worth €12,000 net per month, alongside a club car and an option for an additional season.
Despite the professional appearance of the paperwork, one detail immediately stood out to Groningen officials.
In the contract proposal there are all kinds of errors.That technical oversight exposed the proposal as fraudulent.
For example, the amounts are net, whilst in football we always work with gross amounts.
Other Dutch clubs have also been targeted
Groningen are far from the only club affected.Investigations found that some forged documents even recycled branding from other Dutch clubs and sponsors, including PEC Zwolle, suggesting the same group has reused templates across multiple scams.
General manager Frank van Mosselveld confirmed similar identity fraud cases have previously affected other clubs.
Last season, the name of Jordens Peters, director of Roda JC, was abused in the same way.
The same happened to Gerry Hamstra of PEC Zwolle.
Agents warned to remain vigilant
Although some agents have spotted warning signs - including one phone call in which the impersonator's poor English raised suspicions - van Mosselveld acknowledged that busy transfer windows create opportunities for sophisticated fraud.If an office is working on twenty deals at the same time, something like this can slip through.One tactic involved falsely claiming that changes to Dutch regulations prevented immediate registration with the KNVB because a player remained under contract elsewhere.
They work quite professionally.
The fraudsters then insisted payments should first be processed through the agent's office.
Groningen have now alerted both the KNVB and the Dutch Public Prosecution Service in an effort to prevent further victims as investigations continue.
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