Belgium Launches Comprehensive Action Plan Against Online Fraud

• •Belgium's government launched a 29-measure action plan to combat online fraud.
• •The itsme app will receive enhanced security features, including facial recognition.
• •Over 11,000 phishing cases were reported in 2025, with losses totaling around 93 million euros.

On November 12, 2026, the Belgian federal government announced a national action plan comprising 29 measures to combat online fraud and phishing, spearheaded by Consumer Protection Minister Rob Beenders and Interior Minister Bernard Quintin. The plan includes enhancing the security of the itsme identity app with facial recognition technology and improving protections against SIM swapping. The government aims to foster collaboration among banks, telecom operators, and online platforms to detect fraud more swiftly. A new reporting form on Safeonweb will enable the public to report suspicious activities, while the Phish Nemo project will expand its efforts to warn users of fraudulent websites. The initiative is a response to a significant rise in phishing cases, with over 11,000 incidents reported in 2025, resulting in losses of approximately 93 million euros. The plan will be reviewed every three months to assess its effectiveness.