NL: Floridata warns of Mafia & scam companies surrounding All Saints’ Day

In the past the Mafia has caused a lot of unrest in the ornamentals sector. Different variants of fraud and scams were part of a complex whole. Various activities within the flower trade were found to be a cover for criminal practices. A flower export company might have been the cover for the distribution of drugs and ‘scam limited companies’ were used to inform exporters. These flower shops seemed to have disappeared completely after receiving large supplies for All Saints’ Day or Valentine’s Day. After arrests in 2015 and 2016, peace was supposed to have returned. However, both journalists and exporters are suspecting that other Mafia members still have connections with the flower export. Also Floridata participants report these suspicions to us. Of course we will monitor these messages and we will inform all involved participants if needed. 

Extra caution is required this time of the year. Prior to the Mafia arrests in 2015 and 2016, the number of duped exporters was particularly high after the holidays. However, let’s make it clear that scams will always be present. In the case of scams, we often see that due payment are made as agreed, in the run-up to public holidays. Trust is being built and geared towards the big ‘first of November order'. After this large delivery, this payment morale or sometimes the entire company seems to have disappeared suddenly! This does not only apply to cases involving the mafia; this type of scam occurs in a much wider number of cases. At Floridata we are watchful for our participants, but that is not possible without your collaboration and assistance. Therefore, always check with us in case of new debtors and keep reporting problems or concerns. In this way we can collectively prevent many major damages. It would be a shame when, particularly on the days when we have to earn well, we also would suffer the biggest loss at the same time!