Van Leeuwen Law Firm

Money laundering is a complex financial crime involving the process of concealing the origins of illegally obtained money, typically through a series of transactions, to make it appear as though it has been derived from legitimate sources. The primary objective of money laundering is to integrate illicit funds into the mainstream economy, thereby obscuring their true origin and making them appear legitimate. This process usually involves three stages: placement, layering, and integration. Placement involves introducing illicit funds into the financial system, often through cash deposits or other means, to distance the funds from their criminal source. Layering involves conducting multiple…

Terrorist financing involves the provision or collection of funds with the intention of supporting terrorist activities or organizations. It encompasses various illicit financial activities aimed at facilitating acts of terrorism, including recruitment, training, planning, and execution of terrorist attacks. Terrorist financing poses a significant threat to global security and stability, as it enables terrorist groups to procure weapons, recruit militants, and carry out attacks that result in loss of life and destruction of property. Financial institutions play a crucial role in combating terrorist financing by implementing robust anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) measures, such as customer due diligence,…

Sanctions and embargoes are measures imposed by governments or international organizations to restrict or prohibit economic and financial transactions with specific countries, entities, or individuals. These measures are often used as diplomatic tools to enforce international law, promote human rights, combat terrorism, prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, or address other foreign policy objectives. Sanctions typically involve freezing assets, imposing trade restrictions, restricting access to financial markets, or prohibiting specific types of transactions, such as arms sales or technology transfers. Embargoes, on the other hand, involve a complete ban on trade with a particular country or region. Violations of…

Fraud is a deliberate and deceptive act carried out with the intention of unlawfully obtaining financial or personal gain, or causing financial loss or harm to others. It encompasses a wide range of illicit activities, including but not limited to false representation, concealment of material facts, and abuse of trust or position for fraudulent purposes. Fraudulent activities can occur in various contexts, such as banking, insurance, securities trading, government procurement, and electronic commerce. Common types of fraud include investment fraud, insurance fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud, and money laundering. Fraudulent schemes often involve sophisticated techniques to deceive victims, such…

Bribes and corruption refer to illicit practices involving the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of something of value as a means to influence the actions or decisions of individuals or organizations in positions of power or authority for personal or organizational gain. Bribes can take various forms, including cash payments, gifts, favors, or other benefits exchanged in exchange for favorable treatment or outcomes. Corruption undermines the integrity of institutions, distorts market competition, and erodes public trust in government and business entities. It is prevalent in various sectors, including government, politics, law enforcement, judiciary, business, and international trade. Common forms of…

Tax evasion and tax fraud refer to illegal activities aimed at intentionally avoiding the payment of taxes owed to the government or manipulating tax laws to reduce tax liability. Tax evasion involves the deliberate underreporting of income, overstatement of deductions, or concealment of assets to evade taxes. Tax fraud encompasses a broader range of deceptive practices, including falsifying documents, creating fictitious transactions, or using offshore accounts to hide income from tax authorities. Both tax evasion and tax fraud undermine the integrity of the tax system, deprive governments of essential revenue, and create an uneven playing field for honest taxpayers. These…

Market abuse refers to various illegal activities that distort the integrity and fairness of financial markets, undermining investor confidence and market stability. Market abuse can take several forms, including insider dealing, market manipulation, and the dissemination of false or misleading information. Insider dealing involves trading securities based on confidential, non-public information not available to the general public, giving individuals or entities an unfair advantage over other market participants. Market manipulation entails artificially inflating or deflating the price of financial instruments or securities through deceptive practices such as wash trading, spoofing, or cornering the market. Dissemination of false or misleading information…

Collusion and anti-trust violations refer to illegal practices where competing companies or individuals engage in secret agreements or arrangements to manipulate market prices, restrict competition, and harm consumers. Collusion typically involves actions such as price-fixing, bid-rigging, market allocation, and other concerted efforts to eliminate or reduce competition in a particular market or industry. Price-fixing occurs when competitors agree to set prices at a certain level, thereby eliminating competition and artificially inflating prices to maximize profits. Bid-rigging involves conspiring to manipulate the bidding process for contracts or projects, ensuring that certain competitors win bids at predetermined prices. Market allocation entails dividing…

Cybercrime and data leaks represent a significant threat within the realm of financial crime, encompassing various illicit activities conducted through digital means that aim to defraud individuals, organizations, or governments. Cybercrime involves unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or electronic devices to commit fraudulent activities such as identity theft, financial fraud, or phishing scams. Data leaks, on the other hand, involve the unauthorized disclosure or exposure of sensitive information, including personal data, financial records, or proprietary business information. These breaches often occur due to vulnerabilities in cybersecurity defenses, such as inadequate encryption protocols or lax access controls. The consequences of…

Mortgage fraud refers to illegal, deceptive, or misleading behavior involved in obtaining or providing a mortgage loan. This includes various forms of fraud, such as providing false information about income, employment, debts, or properties to qualify for a loan with more favorable terms than would otherwise be possible. It may also involve concealing information about the condition of the collateral or manipulating appraisals to justify a higher loan amount. Mortgage fraud can cause significant financial damage to lenders, investors, and the broader economy, and it undermines confidence in the financial system as a whole. Mortgage fraud presents significant challenges in…

Credit fraud refers to illegal, deceptive, or misleading actions related to obtaining, managing, or using credit facilities. This includes various forms of fraud, such as providing false information about financial status, identity, credit history, or other relevant factors to obtain credit approval. It may also involve manipulating credit applications, falsified documents, or using stolen identities to unlawfully obtain credit. Credit fraud can cause significant damage to lenders, financial institutions, and individual victims, and it undermines confidence in the credit system and financial markets. Credit fraud poses significant challenges across regulatory, operational, analytics, and strategic domains within the Netherlands and the…

Insurance fraud refers to illegal, deceptive, or misleading actions related to insurance policies, claims, or other insurance-related processes. This includes various forms of fraud, such as intentionally providing false information when taking out a policy, exaggerating loss or damage when filing a claim, or fabricating evidence to obtain an unlawful payout. Insurance fraud can cause significant financial damage to insurance companies, policyholders, and society at large, and it undermines trust in the insurance industry as a whole. Insurance fraud poses complex challenges across regulatory, operational, analytics, and strategic domains within the Netherlands and the broader European Union (EU). Attorney Bas…