The Old Limburg Shooters’ Festival (OLS) in Beekdaelen recently faced an unexpected financial blow due to internet fraud, despite ending with a positive balance. This was revealed on Saturday during the event’s financial report at the Schinnen town hall. While the organization finished with a surplus of €110,000 on a total revenue of €1.1 million, this figure could have been much higher.
Phishing Scam Hits Hard
The financial setback was caused by a phishing scam, where cybercriminals tricked someone into sharing sensitive information. Phishing typically involves sending fake emails that lead people to fraudulent websites. Once there, criminals can steal data or, as in this case, money.
At OLS, the fraudsters managed to alter a bank account number within the system, which allowed them to divert €78,000. The fraud was discovered in early September, and the organization quickly reported it to the police. The province, along with the municipalities of Beekdaelen and Nederweert—key financial supporters—were also notified. The criminals are believed to be operating from abroad.
Financial Losses and Community Response
On Saturday, the OLS board informed the nine militia companies involved in organizing the event, as well as its members, about the fraud. Chairman Ger Koopmans acknowledged the frustration, saying everyone agreed it was a tough hit to the financial outcome. The organization is actively exploring ways to recover some of the stolen funds, though they do not have insurance for cybercrime, which Koopmans described as “extremely expensive.”
Higher Security Costs and Reduced Revenues
The fraud wasn’t the only challenge. Other factors contributed to a lower-than-expected surplus. For example, OLS intentionally kept prices low for attendees and chose not to charge for amenities like toilet use. Additionally, security costs exceeded the budget by €40,000.
What Happens to the Remaining Funds?
Despite these challenges, the €110,000 surplus will be distributed as planned. Koopmans explained that 40% of the surplus will be shared among the nine participating militia companies, while the remaining 60%—around €33,000—will be allocated to cover volunteer hours. This equates to the work of roughly 16 full-time employees.
While the festival ended on a positive note financially, the phishing scam served as a stark reminder of the growing risks of cybercrime, especially for organizations that may not have the resources to invest in costly protections.
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