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Belgian police launch online fraud awareness campaign by distributing 50,000 bread bags

Police are urging people to "make the right click."

A loaf of bread

A loaf of bread. Photo by Cristian Bonaviri/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Anton Mous
Anton Mous Journalist
Jul 6, 2026 2 min read
Key takeaways:
  • Arro Ieper police are distributing 50,000 bread bags with tips to help residents spot and prevent online fraud.
  • Police say online fraud reports are rising, with about four cases per day and €8 million ($9 million) in reported losses this year.
  • The “Make the right click” campaign focuses on tech support scams and urges victims to contact police and banks quickly.

Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.

The police of Arro Ieper have come up with a playful way to launch an online fraud awareness campaign. In the upcoming weeks, the Belgian police force will be distributing 50,000 bread bags containing tips on how to recognize and prevent online fraud.

According to the Arro Ieper police force, the number of reports of online fraud is increasing. Cybercriminals are finding new ways to scam people, and they have a lot of information at their disposal to gain their trust.

“On average, we’re handling about four reports per day. So far this year, people have reported about 8 million euros in damages. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Jan Depuydt, chief inspector of the Local Computer Crime Unit (LCCU), told Belgian news outlet VRT NWS in an interview.

Depuydt said that the number of victims and damages has risen steadily in recent years. That’s why the LCCU team was founded.

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“This way, a dedicated team of officers can conduct investigations much more efficiently and specialize in helping people recover their stolen money, even if only partially,” the LCCU chief inspector added.

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To raise awareness of online fraud, the police force of Arro Ieper has launched a new campaign called “Make the right click.” Police officers try to educate people on how to recognize tech support fraud and what to do when they have fallen victim to a scammer.

The campaign runs not only on social media. Instead of focusing solely on online platforms, tips for recognizing tech support scams and other forms of online fraud are being distributed via bread bags.

In the next three weeks, over 50,000 bread bags containing tips on how to prevent you from becoming the next victim of scammers will be distributed.

To reach as many people as possible, especially the elderly, flyers and posters will be shown at pharmacies, general practitioners, town halls, and local banks as well.

“Our message is: act quickly and put your embarrassment aside. Scams are more common than you think, and they can happen to anyone. If you report the incident quickly or contact the police and your bank, you’ll increase your chances of recovering (some of) your money,” Depuydt said.

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