The Netherlands’ Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) on May 19 searched a house in Rucphen. The authority suspects the 31-year-old male resident of tax fraud and money laundering. The suspect, whom the authorities have not yet arrested, allegedly claimed over 560,000 euros ($682,954) in sales tax. The authority has seized various documents, a car, a boat as well as cash from the property.
The FIOD began its investigation after receiving a report from the tax authorities. The authority suspects that the man fraudulently claimed a refund of sales tax for his computer hardware wholesale business by using fake invoices. The two largest suppliers, on whose name the suspect submitted invoices, have stated that the invoices were forged.
It is likely that the suspect withdrew a large part of the illicit funds in cash. He may have bought gold abroad and subsequently sold it for cash in the Netherlands. The suspect also purportedly used the illicitly obtained funds to book holiday trips and purchase luxury items, including a boat.
Source: Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD), Netherlands