Published on : 28 October 2010 - 11:17pm | By RNW News Desk

http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/dutch-couple-arrested-charges-money-laundering-and-fraud

Peter Roor and Heleen Roor from the North Holland town of Wieringerwerf have been arrested on suspicion of money laundering and of drawing up false real estate deeds. Research by Radio Netherlands Worldwide shows that Heleen Roor was briefly released but later re-arrested at the request of the United States authorities.

Their arrests made front page news in the US state of Illinois, where the local authorities have placed ads in various media urging victims of the Dutch couple to come forward. The Roor couple has allegedly swindled hundreds, possibly even thousands of unsuspecting investors.

Appeal

US Attorney Stephen Wigginton for the Southern District of Illinois on Monday called on swindled investors to come forward. Mr Wigginton’s office has confirmed that it is working closely together with the Dutch authorities.

Assiociates of the U.S. Attorney say they have sufficient evidence showing that part of the alleged fraud by the Dutch couple was committed from Illinois. For example, the investment firm Petheldia received cheques and other payments at a post office box in the town of Algonquin.

Ponzi schemes

The couple allegedly engaged in various online swindles, using names such as The Oxford Savings Club, We Let Your Money Grow, Dollar Dazler, Aceinvest en MiAmigo Services. Peter Roor often used the alias ‘Pedro Dispenza’. Investors were asked to invest 50 US dollars which Peter Roor promised would earn returns of up to 400 percent a month without risk. Several of his investment schemes were actually Ponzi schemes.

The couple is also facing charges in the Netherlands. The authorities are currently investigating a number of different cases. On Friday, a court will decide whether Heleen Roor will be placed under pre-extradition detention. In 2004, the Federal District Court convicted Peter Roor in absentia to disgorge one million US dollars and imposed a 100,000-dollar fine for swindling investors in 'The Oxford Savings Club'. The court also issued a warrant for Roor's arrest upon entry into the United States.