Data vault must be investigated according to childcare benefits victim and entrepreneur Gülşah Aknipar

Victims of the Dutch childcare benefits scandal, led by Amsterdam entrepreneur and parent Gülsah Akpinar, have filed a criminal complaint to initiate an investigation into a secret digital data vault containing millions of documents. The claimants suspect that officials at the Tax and Customs Administration deliberately withheld information during the scandal. Akpinar, who faced severe financial hardship after being ordered to repay 60,000 euros in 2012, argues that an independent probe by the National Investigation Service is essential to provide transparency and recognition for those affected. She noted that minority families were disproportionately impacted by the aggressive benefit clawbacks.

Legal representative Merijn van Leeuwen supports the demand for a thorough investigation, emphasizing that the potential discovery of suppressed evidence is critical for the families seeking closure. The complaint has been submitted to the chief public prosecutor, with a decision on whether to launch an official inquiry expected within three months. For Akpinar, who has since restarted her daycare business, this investigation represents a vital final step in resolving the long-standing trauma caused by the government's actions.