Belgium Launches National Phishing Cell to Fight Fraud
Belgium’s Federal Police have established a new specialized unit dedicated to combating the growing epidemic of online phishing fraud. The “Nationale Cel Phishing” (National Phishing Cell), launching in summer 2026, will consolidate fragmented intelligence from across the country’s police zones to enable faster intervention and better protection for victims, according to VRT NWS.
A Growing Crisis
The initiative comes as phishing — a form of online fraud where criminals trick victims into revealing sensitive information such as passwords and bank details — reaches alarming levels in Belgium. In 2025, 11,292 phishing incidents were reported, a 30% increase over the previous year. Yet authorities believe the true scale is far greater: only 20% of victims report the crime.
The average victim is 58 years old, and the average financial loss stands at €10,000 per person. Perpetrators come from more than 100 different nationalities, making this a deeply international phenomenon, as Belga news agency reported.
How the New Unit Will Work
The National Phishing Cell will be housed within the Federale Gerechtelijke Politie (Federal Judicial Police) and will bring together specialized cybercrime investigators, administrative support staff, and crime analysts. Its primary mission is to consolidate information that is currently scattered across more than 185 local police zones and various federal services.
“By bringing information together, we can intervene faster and protect more victims,” said Commissioner-General Eric Snoeck, head of the Belgian Federal Police, in an interview with VRT NWS.
Crucially, the cell will not conduct judicial investigations itself — that responsibility remains with local police and federal cybercrime detectives under the authority of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Instead, it will serve as an intelligence hub: detecting patterns, identifying perpetrator groups, linking related cases, and providing targeted support to investigators on the ground.
International Coordination
The unit will also play a significant international role. Through Europol, it will exchange information on perpetrators, methods, and emerging trends with law enforcement agencies in neighboring countries. This will give Belgium faster visibility into international phishing campaigns run by criminal networks and allow the police to provide valuable intelligence to investigators abroad.
Building on Existing Infrastructure
Belgium is not starting from scratch in the fight against phishing. The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) has operated the Belgium Anti-Phishing Shield (BAPS) — a system unique in Europe — which works with internet service providers including Belnet, Proximus, Telenet, and Orange to alert users in real time to malicious websites. In 2022 alone, BAPS prevented 14 million clicks to suspicious websites, approximately 25 alerts per minute. The CCB also runs the public reporting system at suspicious@safeonweb.be, receiving up to 30,000 suspicious messages per day.
A Collaborative Approach
Commissioner-General Snoeck emphasized that no single organization can tackle phishing alone. “The strength lies in collaboration: police, justice, the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium, banks and other partners each bring a piece of the puzzle,” he said. “By smartly combining technology, data analysis and collaboration, we strengthen not only our own firepower, but also that of all our partners.”
What This Means for Citizens
The creation of the National Phishing Cell signals a significant shift in Belgium’s approach to cybercrime, moving from decentralized, fragmented investigations to a centralized intelligence model. For the public, the police offer clear prevention advice: remain vigilant, do not let anyone pressure you, and remember that a bank employee will never come to your home to collect your bank card. Victims should contact their bank immediately, block their account via Fraudstop (078 170 170), and file a report with local police.
Looking Ahead
As phishing techniques continue to evolve — with criminals increasingly using AI-generated content and sophisticated social engineering — the new unit faces a formidable challenge. But by centralizing data analysis, strengthening international cooperation, and building on Belgium’s existing cybersecurity infrastructure, the National Phishing Cell represents a major step forward in protecting citizens from one of the most pervasive forms of modern crime.