The former Minister of Finance and former European Commissioner Didier Reynders, suspected of money laundering through compulsive purchases of Lottery tickets, had an ING account which he funded with numerous cash payments, then from his lottery player account.
These cash payments of an amount of 800,000 euros over ten years, then these regular payments, attracted the attention of the bank, which asked questions to its very special client, apparently from 2018. But it was not until 2023, i.e. after the launch of the legal investigation which had begun following a notification from the National Lottery, that ING notified its suspicions to the CTIF.
Delayed reaction
This seemingly late reaction triggered, reveal our colleagues from Le Soir, an inspection by the National Bank which will ask the bank for explanations. The BNB is in fact the policeman of the banks and has the power to ensure that they comply with anti-money laundering legislation.
Le Soir also reveals that it was at the Texaco Prince d’Orange station, in Uccle, that the case began. It all started out of astonishment, following a “routine investigation” into the sale of e-tickets, these tickets worth a maximum of 200 euros that you buy from a newsagent for recharge your player account. A point of sale broke records. It was the Uccle station. And when the Lottery noticed that a couple of players were buying a considerable amount of e-tickets, depositing exceptional amounts compared to the average player, systematically transferring their winnings to their bank account and playing with the products of the Lottery presenting the highest probability of reimbursement, the National Lottery took the matter to court, arguing “abnormal gaming behavior which could indicate money laundering activities”.
-We contacted ING Belgium but the bank did not wish to react to this particular matter. She tells us that “in accordance with the law and in order to protect the confidentiality of our clients’ data, ING Belgium is not authorized to comment on individual files legally required not to make any comments on potential reports and measures taken in matters of fight against money laundering and terrorism. »
The bank adds, however, that “generally speaking, ING Belgium fully assumes its role as guardian of the financial system and respects all legal obligations in the fight against money laundering and terrorism. When the situation requires it, ING Belgium cooperates in complete transparency with the judicial authorities. »
