Frequently asked questions about when to file a report
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Yes. If you believe a transaction is unusual, you should report it to FIU-the Netherlands, regardless of whether it is a completed transaction or merely an intended transaction.
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Indicators of unusual transactions are listed in the 2018 Implementation Decree for the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Prevention) Act (Wwft) (Uitvoeringsbesluit Wwft 2018 [in Dutch]). These indicators differ per reporting entity. The page on reporting groups gives an overview of the various indicators per reporting group. If in your view a transaction meets one or more of the indicators that apply to your reporting group, you must report that transaction to FIU-the Netherlands.
If you have questions about how to interpret a given indicator, you can ask your Wwft supervisory authority. This page shows which supervisory authority is responsible for your reporting group. This division of roles is addressed in more detail in the FAQ “What is the role of the Wwft supervisory authorities in relation to FIU Netherlands?’’.
Intermediaries, straw owners and shell companies
Criminals use various methods for money laundering. Especially shell companies and companies set up by straw owners are popular. These arrangements are often set up by intermediaries, leaving the real instigators out of sight. Reports of unusual transactions help us trace illegal financial structures.
Analysis exposes alleged criminal network
At FIU-the Netherlands, we frequently analyse networks, sometimes in collaboration with other organisations such as Fintell Alliance.* Reports of unusual transactions we receive are always the starting point.
Cash Compensation model
Analysis by FIU-the Netherlands has shown that large, well-known companies in labour-intensive sectors such as construction and parcel delivery place work orders with (sub)contractors and pay them in cash. At these subcontractors, however, no or hardly any wage payments via wire transfer take place; employees are paid in cash.
Scam alert: scammers pose as FIU- the Netherlands
Recently, several organizations have been contacted by email and phone by scammers posing as FIU- the Netherlands. For example, they ask for your ID or IBAN number. Or they want you to transfer money directly. Be alert to this. FIU-the Netherlands will never ask you for this information.
Why it is important that our website is also in Papiamentu
When developing on our new website, we decided to launch it also in Papiamentu. In this interview, our relationship manager for the Caribbean Netherlands explains why this is so important. He also explains what it means to be relationship manager for the islands.