Big fraud investigation in Dutch flower industry

Last Thursday, three flower businesses in Aalsmeer and six homes in Aalsmeer, Amsterdam, Kudelstaart and Rijsenhout, the Netherlands were searched by the police and the Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD). The search was part of an investigation of a large scale scam including stealing, laundering, bankruptcy and VAT-fraud. One person has been arrested for the possession of a gun.

Investigation
The police, the FIOD and the National Office of the Public Prosecutor (OM) investigated the scams that were executed by companies at the flower auction in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. The investigating authorities received a number of reports of fraud, embezzlement and forged documents.

Flowers and chocolate
Research shows that the flower business ordered large amounts of flowers, which they did not pay for in the end. After receiving the orders, the criminals made their own firm bankrupt. Therefore, other flower suppliers suffer losses that probably equates to thousands of Euro. Moreover, the suspects might be linked to stealing huge amounts of boxes full of exclusive chocolate.

Search
On Thursday, six homes and three companies were searched. Ten thousands of Euros, a weapon, ammunition and a large number of stolen chocolate was found. As yet, no one has been arrested. In order to map the scale of this case, a extensive investigation needs to take place first.