Nature and extent of Dutch Criminal Spending: a study by Ecorys, Utrecht University and VU Amsterdam

How do criminals spend their money and how much money is involved in money-laundering in the Netherlands each year? The study conducted jointly by Ecorys, Utrecht University and VU Amsterdam sought to answer these questions and contribute to the debate about the extent to which money laundering has an undermining effect on the regular economy and financial system in the Netherlands. The research team looked at the spending behaviour of criminals and the way in which criminal assets disappear in the regular economy.


The study findings show that a large part of the income is spent on daily necessities (e.g. groceries at the supermarket) and is used as (re-)investment in criminal activities. If there is leftover money, criminals like to spend it on luxury goods, such as holidays, clothing, and jewellery. Criminals who earn vast amounts of money can also invest in real estate in the Netherlands or abroad. To facilitate these transactions, they use the services of legal financial advisors to set up corporate and money laundering constructions which have an undermining effect on society. The study further estimated that, between 2004 – 2014, the size of domestic money laundering increased from 10.3 to 13 billion EUR, representing 2% of the Dutch gross domestic product over that timespan.

The researchers concluded that this increase calls for implementing a more differentiated anti-money laundering policy, in which a distinction is made between different types of crime and money laundering and expenditures. Sufficient attention must be paid to the international dimension of crime and money laundering, as well as to the role legal financial advisors play by setting up money laundering structures. A firmer policy with regard to these advisers is crucial to prevent the undermining effect criminal spending has on society.

For more information, please read the full report (pdf, in Dutch).

29 December 2021

2 minute read



Key Experts

Linette de Swart

Principal Consultant