AFM warned about 'wonder investor'

The Financial Markets Authority (AFM) has received worrying complaints about a financial investor by the name Rob van den B. from Gemert. These reports started in July 2010. The fraudulent investor notified the Public Prosecution Authority (OM) that he was no longer active, prompting the OM to prematurely cease further investigations into the reasons for these reports. Now, Rob van den B. (49) is being prosecuted for swindling by the Department of Justice. He was apprehended six months ago, after which the OM investigation was completed. Van den B. invested money without a license for people. Calculations reveal that dozens of investors entrusted him with a total of €9.2 million. The output was paid out of other peoples' investments, much like a pyramid scheme. Van den B. used his ill-gotten gains to buy expensive cars, homes and holidays. The first tip about Rob van den B. came from a portfolio manager, who warned that Van den B. was a fast talking swindler abusing people. In a short period of time, the AFM received four similar reports about the investor's luxury lifestyle, and the high outputs that he promised, even though he merely had a one-man company with very few investors. At that time, he already served prison terms and did community service for six counts of swindling and forgery. Almost two years after the firs report came in, the AFM demanded a penalty payment from the investor because he refused to supply bank statements. Rob van den B. used a private account with BinckBank to handle his fraudulent business. His victims are questioning why the OM never investigated the bank's role. According to them, BinckBank allowed investors to deposit money on that account, that he was able to operate and send money to his personal account even though he was in overdraft.