The U.S. Department of Justice announced the transfer of USD 29.7 million to Curaçao in three installments. The funds are proceeds from an eight-year fraud and money laundering scheme against Curaçao’s government involving an unlicensed lottery and unpaid taxes on lottery income and other revenue. At Curaçao’s request, the Justice Department obtained U.S. court orders enforcing Curaçao’s pretrial restraint and final forfeiture orders against proceeds held in Miami investment accounts by companies controlled by Robertico A. Dos Santos, who was convicted and sentenced in Curaçao. The returned funds will support law enforcement purposes and will be subject to regular local reviews and annual external audits. None may be disbursed to Dos Santos, his family or businesses he controls, and the transfer terms and audit reports will be made public in Curaçao.
2026-09-17U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Justice transfers USD 29.7 million in forfeited fraud proceeds to Curaçao
The U.S. Department of Justice is transferring USD 29.7 million in forfeited proceeds from an eight-year fraud and money laundering scheme to Curaçao in three installments. The funds will support law enforcement purposes under audit and public reporting requirements, with payments to the defendant, his family and controlled businesses prohibited.