How do I recognize suspicious situations?
Various forms of organized crime and undermining occur in the floriculture sector. These include drug crime involving transport of narcotics in flowers, fraud, money laundering, bribery and labor exploitation. To recognize these forms of criminal behaviour, there are several things you can look out for as a business owner.
Scroll down for all the tips!
- Do you see unfamiliar people on your premises? Ask yourself why they are there and keep an eye on this. Report it if necessary.
- Do you notice unfamiliar vans on or around your business? Check what they are doing and who they are there for. Record your findings so you can report it later if necessary.
- Do you know a business that is open at unusual times or works behind closed doors? This may be suspicious. Report it if you don’t trust it.
- Dark, secluded places are attractive for illegal activities. Criminals easily stay out of sight there.
- Do you see unknown individuals or your own employees at unexpected times in or around your business? Have a conversation with them to understand what they are doing there.
- Nearby businesses that offer little transparency – for example, by always having closed doors or being unclear about their operations – can also be a cause for concern. Don’t trust it? Then report it.
- Know your customer, so make sure you know who you are doing business with. This applies not only to customers but also to suppliers. Are they really reliable? Check them carefully. There are several ways to get control of this. Contact us; we can help you with this.
- Make sure your temp agency has accommodation, working hours and sickness arrangements in place. This seems obvious, but unfortunately that is not always the case. Check this yourself and report if you see any strange situations.
- Does a business partner want to settle large amounts of contact? This may indicate money laundering or drug money. Please report this above all.
- Do you work with employment agencies? Check that hired workers have their own documents, such as a passport. These must always be available. Do you have questions about this? Contact SNCU.
- Does an employee want to be present during transport loading when it doesn’t make sense? Engage in conversation and ask the reason for this. It may indicate transportation of narcotics.
- If your driver has to top up on the road and is not allowed to be there himself or stands still longer than logical, that is also strange and suspicious. Engage in conversation to hear what is happening on the road.
- Does your employee suddenly show abnormal behavior such as calling often, wanting to work different shifts, asking a lot about scheduling trips. This may indicate contact with a criminal organization. Engage in conversation and be alert.
- Does an employee suddenly have a new car or luxury goods that do not directly match his/her income? If so, have a conversation with this employee. It may indicate criminal income.
- Does an employee have a lot of contact with unfamiliar people in the workplace? Pay attention and engage in conversation. This may indicate unwanted or criminal contacts.
- If you work with migrant workers, check how they are housed. Poor housing may indicate labor exploitation.
- Is an employee in a financially difficult situation? Is there, for example, a wage attachment or payment arrears? These are signals to react alertly to and enter into discussion with the employee on how to assist him or her. Connect e.g. debt assistance. Employees with problematic debts are vulnerable to criminal activity.
Keep paying attention, even as a citizen!
Read our tips on this website. You can also use these tips as a citizen. When you are walking your dog or jogging, walking or riding your bike, look around you. Report any situation that is suspicious or strange to you.
Photo: NOS – Police
How does criminal interference affect your business?
The consequences for your company and its employees can be severe if you face crime within your company. You can read examples below that have previously appeared in the press.
Want to know how to prevent criminal interference in your business, contact us.
Report a suspicious situation immediately!
“Het is belangrijk dat we ons met zijn allen realiseren hoe kwetsbaar we als sierteeltsector kunnen zijn. En dat we daar samen in optrekken. Want samen sta je sterk.“
Steven van Schilfgaarde
CEO Royal FloraHolland
“Wees alert en realistisch. Denk niet, het gaat mij niet gebeuren.“
Bouke Arends
Burgemeester Gemeente Westland
“De transportsector is de grootste draaicirkel van de handel in criminele structuren.“
Leon
Operationeel specialist Politie