Police have arrested three more people, including a 54-year-old tax office worker, in connection with an investigation into fraud involving government digital identity codes.

Five people were arrested in December, bringing the total to eight.

By stealing people’s digital id code (DigiD), the gang were able set up bank transfers to have healthcare and housing benefits paid directly into their accounts. Most of the victims were students in Groningen.

The public prosecution department says the gang managed to steal several hundred thousand euros.