A 21-year-old man from Best was arrested on Monday by the Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service (FIOD). He worked as a temporary worker at the Tax Authorities and is suspected of having wrongly paid out tens of thousands of euros in subsidies. According to the prosecutor, the money was used to buy expensive telephones and a Rolex, among other things.
The fraud came to light after a bank reported it to the tax authorities. The bank noted that the Tax Authorities had transferred an amount of more than 84,000 euros to an 18-year-old boy from Alkmaar. This happened following a subsidy application in the context of a scheme implemented by the Tax Authorities.
Big expenses
The bank noticed that immediately after receiving the money, large expenditures were made via web shops and that large amounts were withdrawn in cash. The bank therefore decided to block the account and inform the tax authorities. The Public Prosecution Service and the FIOD then opened an investigation. It turned out that the money had been used to buy expensive telephones, earphones and a Rolex watch worth 39,000 euros.
Justice suspects that the bank and identity details of the boy from Alkmaar were misused for the false subsidy application. The application was processed and approved by the 21-year-old suspect from Best. He is therefore suspected of fraud, forgery and money laundering.
Money laundering
In October and November last year, five men were arrested in this case on suspicion of money laundering. Justice suspects that the now arrested man from Best worked with these five. They also had the bank card of the boy from Alkmaar in their possession. The man from Best was taken to the police station for questioning. His house was searched and computers and telephones were seized.