On June 18, the IFI task force, a joint investigation team of the FIOD and police, arrested a 23-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman from Amsterdam in an investigation into suspected subsidy fraud and embezzlement of municipal subsidy funds as well as money laundering.
In addition to the arrests, searches were conducted in community centers, in the homes of several suspects, and at an accounting office. Physical and digital records and data carriers, such as phones and computers, were seized. It is suspected that the man and woman fraudulently invoiced amounts to a foundation that was subsidized by the municipality of Amsterdam. The criminal investigation also focuses on this foundation, its board, and those directly involved.
Pre-trial detention suspended
The two suspects were presented to the examining magistrate on Friday, June 20, who suspended the pre-trial detention of the man. The woman was detained for a period of fourteen days. Until Monday, June 30, the woman was under restrictions, meaning she could only have contact with her lawyer. On Monday, June 30, the woman appeared before the Council Chamber, which suspended her pre-trial detention.
RIEC
Within the RIEC framework, the municipality, police, and the Public Prosecution Service work together to achieve optimal effect in combating undermining crime. The criminal investigation in which the aforementioned arrests and searches took place is a result of a RIEC case. Through information sharing within this partnership, a picture of the extent of the fraud and the vulnerabilities in the system was revealed. It cannot be ruled out that more arrests will follow. The approach to fraud with public funds not only prevents large sums of community money from leaking away; without control and enforcement of the spending of subsidies, the system becomes vulnerable to influences from organized crime.
What is the IFI team?
The Integral Financial team (IFI) is a joint investigation team of the FIOD and police, under the authority of the Public Prosecution Service. This team specifically focuses on the criminal approach in integral RIEC cases.