Post by JimboTheRam on May 29, 2008 17:46:51 GMT -1
Former Forest Striker Pierre Van Hooijdonk, who went on strike in his last year at the club, invested in a Chinese textile company that did not exist.
He is believed to be one of several victims of the fraud which Dutch police said was worth "many millions" of euros.
A spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office in Den Bosch, which is leading the inquiry, said: "We can confirm that Pierre van Hooijdonk was among the victims of a substantial and complex fraud spanning many countries and worth many millions of euros.
"Six men, aged 32, 44, 50, 51, 53 and 58, have been arrested in Holland and charged in connection with this inquiry. A seventh man, aged 38, has been arrested and charged in Belgium.
"All seven have been charged with fraud, money laundering, embezzlement and participating in a criminal organisation.
"They will stand trial at the end of 2008 or early 2009."
The spokeswoman would not reveal details of how the fraud worked but said 16 people had fallen victim between 1996 and 2008 in Holland, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and China.
A spokeswoman for Worldwide Sport Promotions, in Holland, which represents Mr van Hooijdonk, said: "This is a private matter for Pierre and he will not be commenting."
After scoring 29 league goals in Forest's Championship winning season of 1997-8, the Dutch international went on strike at the start of the following season.
He claimed club bosses had gone back on promises to strengthen the side for top-flight football.
He eventually left for Vitesse Arnhem in a £3.5m deal in June 1999 after Forest had been relegated back to the League Championship.
;D Poor Bloke, Forest fans seem to find it amusing tho...
He is believed to be one of several victims of the fraud which Dutch police said was worth "many millions" of euros.
A spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office in Den Bosch, which is leading the inquiry, said: "We can confirm that Pierre van Hooijdonk was among the victims of a substantial and complex fraud spanning many countries and worth many millions of euros.
"Six men, aged 32, 44, 50, 51, 53 and 58, have been arrested in Holland and charged in connection with this inquiry. A seventh man, aged 38, has been arrested and charged in Belgium.
"All seven have been charged with fraud, money laundering, embezzlement and participating in a criminal organisation.
"They will stand trial at the end of 2008 or early 2009."
The spokeswoman would not reveal details of how the fraud worked but said 16 people had fallen victim between 1996 and 2008 in Holland, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and China.
A spokeswoman for Worldwide Sport Promotions, in Holland, which represents Mr van Hooijdonk, said: "This is a private matter for Pierre and he will not be commenting."
After scoring 29 league goals in Forest's Championship winning season of 1997-8, the Dutch international went on strike at the start of the following season.
He claimed club bosses had gone back on promises to strengthen the side for top-flight football.
He eventually left for Vitesse Arnhem in a £3.5m deal in June 1999 after Forest had been relegated back to the League Championship.
;D Poor Bloke, Forest fans seem to find it amusing tho...
