PHILIPSBURG--The Kingdom Detective Cooperation Team RST paid a visit to Robbie's Lottery headquarters in Philipsburg around 9:30am Tuesday as part of a large trans-island investigation headed up by RST and assisted by the Intelligence and Investigations Team (TIO) of the Foundation Tax Accountants Bureau.
Robertico dos Santos, the owner of Robbie's Lottery, is one of two suspects being investigated for money laundering, tax fraud and forgery. Like the second suspect, Kenneth J. Leocadia, Dos Santos has not been arrested.
In addition to Dos Santos and Leocadia, the so-called "Bientu" investigation also has focused its attention on two companies said to be linked to the suspects, Caribbean Investment Group Ltd. and Jamaroma Lotteries NV.
Authorities searched five locations in Cura�ao, including three buildings owned by Robbie's Lottery, as well as Dos Santos' and Leocadia's homes.
In St. Maarten RST detectives moved in on two lottery offices, one of which was the head office on Cannegieter Street in Philipsburg. A Caribbean Investment Group affiliate branch that offers tax, accounting and advisory services, amongst others, also was searched on the island.
An employee at Robbie's Lottery headquarters in St. Maarten said armed detectives were taking computer data and manila folders with information from the
back office. RST detectives were seen on several occasions exiting the building with backpacks and exchanging words with a local business owner who specialises in surveillance and access systems.
Dos Santos is a half-brother of Cura�ao's Minister of Finance George Jamaloodin (Movementu Futuro Korsou ? MFK). According to Cura�ao media, Dos Santos is known to be one of the major financiers of the governing MFK party. He also sits on the board of Fundashon Wega di Number Korsou (Cura�ao Lottery Foundation).
Dos Santos also has business ties to Francesco Corallo, owner of Atlantis World Group, which owns several casinos in St. Maarten and Cura�ao. According to Cura�ao's Amigoe newspaper "sources do not exclude that these buildings will be searched as well."
No comments:
Post a Comment