Dutch Authorities Conduct Raids in Multiple Countries in Financial Crime Sweep

Title of Sourced Wash. Post article:

Dutch authorities carry out raids in tax evasion probe

I just heard about this on BBC - major online media seems to be reporting this as of about 4 hours ago.

These raids are being conducted in several different countries, and will continue over the next few weeks:

Dutch authorities have carried out raids in multiple countries in an investigation into dozens of people suspected of tax evasion and money laundering via an unidentified Swiss bank.

The national tax administration said in a statement Friday that it suspects several million euros worth of funds were hidden from authorities. It says related investigations are under way in Britain, Australia, Germany and France.

In Australia, Authorities are looking for 320 individuals who have been assisting in the tax evasion/money laundering activities. An estimated 50,000 bank accounts are the target of the investigation.

Authorities have also stated they are investigating individuals who are "higher up" in the organizations in question.

Credit Suisse, the 2nd largest bank in Switzerland (after UBS) may be in trouble.

Back in 2014, Credit Suisse pled guilty, and was subsequently fined $2.6 billion by the U.S. government for tax evasion.

( ^ link above is to Forbes article on Credit Suisse 2014 Tax Evasion case)

As a result of their "tax misgivings", Credit Suisse was also required to pay the SEC a $196 million fine.

The reason I say Credit Suisse may be the "unnamed Swiss Bank in question" with this current investigation is because Credit Suisse has confirmed that authorities have contacted their offices in Amsterdam, Berlin and London.

In searches Thursday, it says, authorities detained two suspects and seized a gold bar, luxury cars, dozens of paintings, real estate, jewelry and bank accounts as well as data from thousands of account holders.

Credit Suisse had earlier said local authorities had visited its offices in Amsterdam, Paris and London.

Dutch authorities carry out raids in tax evasion probe

We will see what comes of this.

I expect this more and more in the EU.

Not out of any moral compulsion but because its going to take a massive financial hit with the UK leaving and they need the money as fuel for the Brussels gravy train

a reply to: crazyewok

I was thinking the exact same thing... desperate times call for desperate measures and "cracking down" on financial crimes that those in power would typically turn a blind eye too - even so, they will turn a blind eye to many financial crimes that they or their counterparts are involved in and selectively pick the ones that won't hurt their own pockets...

a reply to: FamCore

How amusing, that it is taking the UK leaving the EU, to force law enforcement into actually doing their jobs in relation to these matters.

And of course, by amusing I mean entirely typical and a bloody poor show.

You know what the punishment will be? Don't imprison them so they are unable to continue their criminal actions. Instead, just slap them with a small fine, so that they develop even more elaborate schemes to make their money back and then some...

a reply to: Jimmycrackerson2

Based on my research, when these banks and investment firms get in trouble and pay hundreds of millions, or in this case billions of dollars, the bank doesn't even have to admit any wrongdoing as part of the agreements.

In essence, they will do the same thing as before, it is more profitable even if they get caught and have to pay the fines than it is to be honest and follow the laws.

The banks and bureaucracies are joined at the hip, most of the time cases like this are just for show, when they're really helping each other out and supporting each others nefarious activities behind the scenes.

a reply to: crazyewok

These raids and controls on savings some dutch People have on foreign accounts to evade taxes have been going on for years now, way before Brexit was even a thing.