Dutch Investigators Detain Nine In Fraud Probe

Dutch financial investigators detained at least nine people on Tuesday in a massive fraud probe.

It also raided the home of the chief executive of the Netherlands’ second-largest supermarket chain, prosecutors and media reports said.

Media reports say law officials swooped upon homes and business premises across the country and arrested a 58-year-old suspect in the northeastern Netherlands outside the city of Assen, who prosecutors said was the “mastermind” behind the alleged criminal operation.

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) said; “Eight other suspects were also arrested elsewhere in the investigation which specifically focuses on various money laundering practices.”

Police also raided the villa of Frits van Eerd, chief executive of the Jumbo supermarket chain which sponsors high-profile sportsmen and women like Formula One world champion Max Verstappen and the Jumbo-Visma cycling and skating teams.

Frits van Eerd is well-known in the Netherlands, not only for running the supermarket group but also as a motorsport enthusiast who has driven the Dakar Rally five times.

His supermarket - Jumbo sponsors 2021 F1 world champion Verstappen, who is currently also leading in this year’s standings with his Red Bull racing team.