Van Dijk De Jongh Notarissen Listed by spook Ransomware Group: Ransomware Claim — What’s Alleged & What To Do

On October 4, 2021, Van Dijk De Jongh Notarissen appeared on a leak site maintained by the spook ransomware group. The listing indicated that internal files had been taken during a ransomware incident, though the number of individuals affected and the precise contents of the material remain undisclosed in public reporting. This development fits a pattern seen across multiple sectors in which ransomware operators publish victim names after encryption and data removal. Such listings serve as pressure points in negotiations and can lead to further distribution of material if demands are not met.

Breaking down the breach

Public information on the incident is limited to the October 2021 listing. The spook group stated that it had exfiltrated internal files from Van Dijk De Jongh Notarissen. No confirmation of the volume of data, the encryption status of systems, or any ransom payment has been released by the organisation or by investigators. The number of people whose information may be involved is not known.

The group behind it: spook

Spook operates as a ransomware affiliate that combines file encryption with the threat of data release. Groups of this type typically gain initial access through compromised remote-access services or phishing, then move laterally to locate and copy sensitive material before deploying encryption. Their leak sites function as a public record of claimed victims, with the stated intention of encouraging payment to prevent further disclosure. Earlier activity attributed to similar operators has included targeting of professional-service firms that maintain large volumes of client records.

About Van Dijk De Jongh Notarissen

Van Dijk De Jongh Notarissen is a Dutch notarial practice. Notaries in the Netherlands authenticate legal instruments such as property transfers, corporate filings, wills and powers of attorney. These offices routinely receive and store personal identifiers, financial details, family relationships and contractual terms that are protected under professional secrecy rules. A compromise at such a firm therefore touches records that are both legally sensitive and difficult to replace.

The information in question

The only detail released is that internal files were removed. No inventory of specific data categories has been published. Organisations of this type commonly hold copies of identity documents, bank statements, property deeds and correspondence containing personal or commercial information. Without an official statement from the firm or an independent forensic summary, the exact scope of any exposure cannot be confirmed.

Why it matters

Documents handled by notaries often underpin major life events and financial transactions. If copies of those documents circulate, affected individuals may face risks of impersonation in property dealings, account openings or legal processes. For the firm, the incident adds operational costs for investigation, notification and system restoration, and it may affect client confidence in the confidentiality of notarial records. The absence of confirmed data volumes leaves the scale of these consequences open.

What to do if you're exposed

Individuals who believe their information may have been held by Van Dijk De Jongh Notarissen should monitor bank and credit accounts for unusual activity and place fraud alerts where available. Changing passwords for any linked online services and enabling multi-factor authentication reduces further risk. A free exposure scan of an email address against known breach data sets can indicate whether the address has appeared in other incidents.

AICompiled with AI assistance from public sources and published under our editorial standards.