Belgium Unveils 29-Point Action Plan To Tackle Online Fraud And Phishing - News Mobile

Consumer Protection Minister Rob Beenders and Interior Minister Bernard Quintin will oversee the initiative, which aims to identify fraudulent activities earlier, prevent financial losses and improve action against organised cybercrime.

Enhanced security measures

One of the key measures involves strengthening security for the country's digital identification application, itsme, through an additional facial recognition verification layer. Authorities also plan to tighten safeguards against SIM-swap fraud, in which criminals unlawfully take control of victims' mobile phone numbers.

Expanded fraud detection

The government will expand the Phish Nemo initiative, currently operated by the federal judicial police and the Limburg public prosecutor's office, across the country. The project identifies fraudulent websites and places warning pages to alert potential victims.

Reporting and coordination

Citizens will be able to report suspicious websites, telephone numbers, messages and online accounts through a new reporting facility on the Safeonweb platform. Meanwhile, banks will exchange information about suspected fraudulent transactions through a secure system called TILDA.

The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) will coordinate information sharing with social media companies to accelerate the removal of fake advertisements, fraudulent profiles and scam messages. The telecommunications regulator BIPT will work with operators and trusted partners to block phone numbers associated with fraud.

Separately, the Justice Department is preparing an action plan that includes establishing a national anti-phishing unit to consolidate investigation-related information and help dismantle criminal networks. The government will assess its implementation every three months.