Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.
Smart Choice Guide to Online Trading Fraud
- Publication category
- Other algorithms
- Impact assessment
- Field not filled in.
- Status
- In use
General information
Theme
Begin date
Contact information
Link to publication website
Responsible use
Goal and impact
The aim of the Smart Choice tool is for the police to receive more complete reports and for people to know immediately what they can do. If a report is complete, the police can get to work faster and fewer follow-up questions are needed. Sometimes the Smart Choice tool gives an alternative, such as contacting another agency. This gives someone immediate clarity on the best next step.
Considerations
Using the Smart Choice tool may take a little more time when filing a report. That extra time often pays for itself, as the police have fewer questions to ask later. Normally, this requires someone to log in again with DigiD, in a secure environment. With the Smart Choice tool, this is often no longer necessary. It also saves time for the police, because there are fewer follow-up questions.
Human intervention
The Smart Choice tool does not determine the next step for a declarant. The declarant can always ignore the advice. On the police side, all declarations are processed regardless of the Smart Choice Tool's verdict.
Risk management
The Smart Choice Tool works in Dutch and is a digital tool. This can be difficult for people who have difficulty with language or little experience with computers. The police therefore asked TNO to conduct independent research into the intelligibility and usability of the Smart Choice Tool. The recommendations regarding language and design of the algorithm were followed.
Elaboration on impact assessments
The Smart Choice tool is built into already existing online modules for filing returns. No new data is collected. The data is used only for the return itself and not for other purposes.
Operations
Data
Declarations on online trade fraud were used for the study. Permission for this was sought through a PaG (Procedure Authorisation Data) request. The declarations contained fields with name and address details of both the declarant and the accused party. It also contained details of the trading site, advertisements and payments.
In addition, each declaration contains a free text field, "Description notification". In it, the declarant describes the (alleged) scam in his own words. Furthermore, it was known for each declaration whether it was later withdrawn, with the date and reason.
Besides the declarations, a collection of follow-up questions from the police was also used. For these questions, in addition to the question itself, the identification number of the report was also known.
Technical design
The Smart Choice Tool works with an AI system that pretends to be a web form. The system extracts basic facts from the declaration, such as whether payments have been made, and asks the user to confirm them. The AI uses argument logic, a method of reasoning with incomplete information. Using argument logic, the AI can check whether there is enough information to determine whether fraud could be involved. If information is still missing, the system asks additional questions.
This works smarter than a simple decision tree. For example, it can explain exactly which legal rules led to a particular question. The system can also indicate why another question is precisely not necessary.
In addition, the chosen solution is energy-efficient and requires little hardware. This is a big difference from modern AI models such as Large Language Models.
For detailed explanations and proof of correctness, see the PhD thesis "Arguing with incomplete information: Formalisms, algorithms and applications in law enforcement" by Dr D. Odekerken.
External provider
Similar algorithm descriptions
- This algorithm helps Customs to select goods for inspection based on risk. It uses declaration data from companies and considers whether or not there are risks of non-compliant or dangerous devices (GPS and GSM jammers) or fixed installations and radio equipment entering the European Union through the Netherlands.Last change on 17th of December 2024, at 10:04 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
- Publication category
- Impactful algorithms
- Impact assessment
- Field not filled in.
- Status
- In use
- This algorithm helps Customs and its enforcement partners to select goods for inspection based on risk. It uses declaration data from companies and looks at whether or not there are risks involved in bringing in and importing timber and timber products without a valid licence.Last change on 2nd of May 2025, at 13:15 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
- Publication category
- Impactful algorithms
- Impact assessment
- Field not filled in.
- Status
- In use
- The Insight module checks online relocation declarations for the municipality. Using smart checks, the module determines which declarations have no peculiarities and which give cause for further investigation.Last change on 11th of June 2024, at 10:55 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
- Publication category
- Other algorithms
- Impact assessment
- Field not filled in.
- Status
- In use
- This algorithm has a low impact. Because the smart traffic lights are able to 'recognise' traffic, it becomes possible to prioritise certain traffic flows over others (in the Westfields area).Last change on 28th of June 2024, at 8:26 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
- Publication category
- Impactful algorithms
- Impact assessment
- Field not filled in.
- Status
- In use
- This algorithm has a low impact. Because the smart traffic lights are able to 'recognise' traffic, it becomes possible to prioritise certain traffic flows over others.Last change on 10th of September 2025, at 14:08 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
- Publication category
- Other algorithms
- Impact assessment
- Field not filled in.
- Status
- Out of use