European Fraud Protection Group

Netherlands

Autoriteit Financiele Markten (AFM)

https://www.afm.nl

The Autoriteit Financiele Markten (AFM) is the financial markets authority of the Netherlands, responsible for supervising the conduct of financial institutions and markets. The AFM focuses on investor protection, transparency, and fair financial markets. The Netherlands' well-developed financial infrastructure and its role as a European financial hub mean that Dutch bank accounts and payment processors are sometimes used by fraudulent operations, making the AFM a relevant authority in cross-border fraud cases.

How to File a Complaint

1

The AFM accepts reports of suspected fraud and unauthorised firms through its online notification form at afm.nl.

2

Reports can be submitted in Dutch or English.

3

Provide the entity's name, website, contact details, and any regulatory claims. Include transaction records and supporting evidence.

4

The AFM uses reported information for supervisory purposes and may initiate investigation if warranted.

5

For disputes with authorised financial firms, the Klachteninstituut Financiele Dienstverlening (KiFiD) provides independent dispute resolution.

6

The AFM's consumer website (afm.nl/consumenten) provides tools and information for verifying firms and recognising fraud.

Register & Verification

The AFM maintains a public register of authorised entities accessible through its website. The register includes investment firms, banks, insurance companies, and financial advisors. The AFM also publishes warnings about entities operating without authorisation.

Key Regulations

  • Wet op het financieel toezicht (Wft) -- Dutch Financial Supervision Act, the comprehensive framework for financial regulation.
  • Besluit Gedragstoezicht financiele ondernemingen (BGfo) -- Conduct of financial enterprises decree.
  • Wwft -- Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act implementing AMLD.
  • Dutch implementation of PSD2 through the Wft.

Typical Timelines

The AFM acknowledges receipt of notifications but does not provide individual case updates. KiFiD dispute resolution proceedings typically take 3-6 months. The AFM may issue public warnings relatively quickly when it receives reports about a specific entity.

Warning List

https://www.afm.nl/en/sector/registers/waarschuwingen

Need Advisory Support?

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