Two arrested in Almere over millions in money laundering and mortgage fraud

The Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) arrested two people from Almere on Tuesday on suspicion of money laundering involving millions of euros and mortgage fraud. The suspects are a 45-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman. Investigators searched two homes in Almere and seized the woman’s property, the FIOD announced Wednesday.

The investigation began after the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which analyses reports of unusual financial transactions, flagged suspicious money flows in the suspects' bank accounts.

Communication through an account on Sky ECC, an encrypted messaging service, played an important role in the investigation into the 45-year-old man, according to the FIOD. Investigators suspect he was involved in laundering millions of euros.

The woman is suspected of laundering money and committing mortgage fraud by allegedly providing false salary and income details on her mortgage application. This allowed her to obtain a mortgage despite having no income, according to the FIOD. The monthly payments were allegedly made with money derived from criminal activity. The FIOD confirmed that investigators seized the woman's home during searches of two properties in Almere.

The investigation is continuing.