THE HAGUE, WILLEMSTAD - "It is important that the banks in the Caribbean respect the law and want to prevent fraud and money laundering," said the Dutch Member of Parliament Ronald van Raak in response to the decision of the MCB-Bank to dismiss the largest gambling company in Curaçao, Robbies Lottery, as a customer.

Reason: owner Robbie dos Santos has been convicted for organizing illegal money laundering and tax evasion lotteries. Many of the cash flows associated with those activities went through the account of Robbies Lottery and related companies at the MCB.

The bank was upheld on Tuesday by the judge in the summary proceedings that Dos Santos - who is also suspected of being involved in some way in the murder of politician Helmin Wiels - had filed against the cancellation of his bank accounts. The bank pointed to the stricter rules and the risk of reputation damage by doing business with a convicted person.

Van Raak welcomes the step of the MCB and the decision of the judge. “Banks have a duty to report suspicious money transactions and to prevent dubious customers. To prevent fraud and money laundering. Many banks have nevertheless served this type of customer for financial gain. These days, control is better, and banks can get large fines if they do not comply with the law. I am very happy with that.”