Minister Van Weel: “Seizing assets is an important means to break criminal revenue models, but it is certainly not the only one. We must make it very difficult, if not impossible, for criminals to earn, transfer, and use money with a coherent and flexible approach.”
In recent years, the objectives of the Public Prosecution Service (OM) to seize assets have been widely achieved. In the coming years, the OM aims to seize more assets. Cooperation is sought with countries that play a role in this. The FIOD and the Police are also focusing on uncovering criminal assets abroad. Soon, the minister will be able to seize illegally obtained assets without prior conviction due to new European regulations. This is urgently needed, given the recent example of the OMs claim against Jos Leijdekkers for €221 million.
The minister has intensified cooperation with various organizations to raise more barriers against money laundering of illegally obtained money. This allows for quick responses to new tactics of criminals. One of the main money laundering risks is underground banking systems. Decrypted crypto communication shows that criminals are moving criminal assets on a large scale within a financial underground system through cash and crypto transactions. This phenomenon has attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies and is also being structurally addressed internationally.
Today, the Senate approved a cash ban for goods over €3,000. Cash payments are a well-known route for criminals to launder money, for example by purchasing expensive watches or clothing. This law makes it more difficult for them, as stated by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Justice and Security. Furthermore, they are focusing on a more risk-based anti-money laundering policy. The burden of money laundering policies will thus fall on criminals, while well-meaning individuals and legitimate entrepreneurs experience less burden.
Making the Netherlands resilient
With partners in the undermining approach, significant steps have been taken to make the Netherlands more resilient against organized crime. Since March 2025, it has been possible to screen port workers for previous involvement in organized (drug) crime when applying for a VOG. This allows individuals with a criminal background to be barred from a port area. To increase the resilience of entrepreneurs, trusted persons are active in several sectors, including the agricultural sector and real estate. Entrepreneurs can thus discuss concerns about suspicious situations in an accessible manner. The campaign Keep crime out of your neighborhood has a positive effect on reporting suspicious situations and taking action. During the campaign period, there was a 29% increase in the total number of reports compared to the same period a year earlier. After the summer of 2025, a follow-up to the first campaign Strange or suspicious will be launched.
Minister Van Weel: “The Netherlands, as a trading nation, has a unique position internationally as a hub in logistics, transport, financial services, and digital infrastructure. This unique position also makes our country interesting for criminals. Organized crime does not adhere to borders. By cooperating with neighboring countries, we are making a stand against undermining by organized crime at local, national, and international levels.”
The Netherlands plays a guiding role in the coalition of seven countries against organized crime (C7). The efforts of the coalition have also been directional for the European security strategy, which the Commission presented on April 1, 2025.