Authorities face scrutiny over allowing a convict-led escort agency to operate
Dutch authorities are under fire for failing to take action against Tilburg-based escort agency Nirvana, despite years of alleged exploitation of sex workers and evidence of fraudulent activities. The company’s founder, Margretha van de Laar, has been convicted in Belgium for human trafficking and exploitation. Despite her conviction, Nirvana remains active in the Netherlands, with Van de Laar transferring ownership to her daughter, Esmee Tuin, who has also been convicted for forgery in Belgium.
Van de Laar, who founded Nirvana in 1996, was sentenced in Belgium to four years in prison, with two years suspended, for exploiting escort workers. According to the Belgian court, sex workers were forced into unacceptable working conditions. Escorts were not allowed to choose their clients or determine what services they would perform. Customers were sometimes defrauded through fake profiles and threatened with exposure if they refused to pay.
“The women recruited were in precarious situations—struggling with addiction or as single mothers,” said the Belgian prosecutor during the trial. “It is clear Margretha had no respect for the dignity of sex workers and shamelessly exploited their dependence.”
Belgian authorities alerted the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) in 2020 about potential exploitation of 150 sex workers in the Netherlands, based on data obtained during a raid on Nirvana’s offices. Despite this, the OM has yet to launch any significant investigation or take action.
Former employees in the Netherlands have come forward to share their experiences of abuse, intimidation, and financial exploitation with Pointer. “You go against your will constantly. If you wanted to leave, the driver would just take you to the next booking. It was always about money, money, money,” one of the victims said. She described a culture of threats and coercion, including fears of being exposed to family or friends due to documents submitted during her employment. The woman did not file a police report, citing a lack of trust in law enforcement. “The shame, the constant threat—it paralyzed me,” she said.
Earlier this year, the municipality of Tilburg granted Nirvana a license to continue operations, sparking outrage among advocacy groups and local politicians. The municipality cited insufficient grounds to deny the permit but has faced criticism for potentially bypassing thorough checks required under Dutch integrity laws.
“The fact that Nirvana was licensed despite these convictions is shocking,” said André van Dorst of a national advocacy group for sex workers. “Usually, a criminal record is enough to fail the screening process.”
The local political party ONS Tilburg has demanded an explanation from the city council and called for a review of the permitting process.
Pointer’s investigation uncovered continued fraudulent practices at Nirvana, including the use of over 100 fake escort profiles to deceive clients. Customers who refused to pay were blackmailed with threats of exposure to their social circles.
Despite mounting evidence and the Belgian conviction, Dutch authorities have not pursued formal charges or investigations into Nirvana’s practices. The OM has declined to comment on whether an inquiry is underway, citing restrictions on disclosing information about ongoing or closed cases.
