Millions of euros have disappeared like snow in the sun and more than a hundred municipalities in the Netherlands are the victims. The Aalsmeer company Groupcard is bankrupt and that has financial consequences for the municipality of Den Bosch, which loses more than 212,000 euros in the bankruptcy.
Groupcard collaborated with around 120 municipalities in the Netherlands. Through the company, municipalities could offer gift cards to volunteers, employees or minima. These cards could then be spent with local entrepreneurs.
But now that Groupcard has been declared bankrupt, millions of euros in community money have suddenly disappeared.
Separate account
The system worked as follows: Municipalities deposited money into the special account of Stichting Derdengelden Groupcard and could provide gift cards to volunteers, employees or minima. When a recipient used his voucher, the amount was transferred from the foundation to the local entrepreneur.
The municipality of Den Bosch is one of the municipalities that used this, including for a white goods scheme. Households with a low income could request a voucher of 550 euros for an energy -efficient refrigerator or washing machine. Tilburg also made such a scheme in 2024. According to the website of the municipality, nearly 9000 households made use of this.
Incomprehensibly careless
The municipality of Den Bosch says it spends almost 212,000 euros on the company’s bankruptcy. “We cannot provide extra energy poverty benefits now, because that budget has now been affected by the bankruptcy,” says a spokesperson. The municipality takes legal action, hoping to get the money back. “But the question is whether the money is still there.”
The municipality finds it incomprehensible that Groupcard has been so carelessly dealt with social money that is intended for the most vulnerable groups. “We think it is important to tackle the people or people who have done this,” said the municipality.
The other Brabant municipalities who probably worked with GroupCard had not yet responded to questions from Omroep Brabant on Tuesday.
Investigation into irregularities
Curator Carry Dullaart says in the AD that the total damage is approximately 14 million euros. According to the newspaper, Dullaart is currently investigating the causes of the bankruptcy and any ‘irregularities’. The bankruptcy trustee would have instructions ‘that with the money from BVs and foundations to close financial gaps’.
When the curator has finished his investigation is unknown.