Alimony fraud — when your ex-partner conceals income

Alimony fraud: a hidden problem affecting many families

After a divorce, alimony is intended to ensure financial fairness — both for the ex-partner and for any children. But what if your ex-partner systematically conceals income, works off the books or hides assets to reduce their alimony obligations? Alimony fraud is a common problem that not only hurts financially but also deeply undermines the sense of justice.

Wijzer in Geldzaken (Wiser with Money), an initiative of the Ministry of Finance, points out that financial transparency after a divorce is essential for a fair arrangement. In practice, however, a significant proportion of alimony payers are not fully transparent about their financial situation.

The Scientific Research and Documentation Centre (WODC) has researched how the alimony system functions in practice and concludes that enforcement is a weak point: when an alimony payer systematically understates their income, the alimony recipient often has insufficient means to prove this.

A professional alimony investigation offers a solution. By mapping your ex-partner’s actual financial situation, facts emerge that the court can use to revise the alimony.

How ex-partners conceal income

Alimony fraud takes many forms, from simple tricks to sophisticated constructions. The following methods occur most frequently in our practice:

• Working off the books while officially part-time or unemployed
• Channelling income through a new partner’s or family member’s company
• Manipulating business income via low salary, inflated expenses or deferred profits
• Hiding assets with third parties, abroad or in disconnected legal entities
• Cohabiting without registration to preserve the alimony obligation
• Declaring fictitious expenses or debts to reduce apparent earning capacity

ConsuWijzer advises consumers to seek professional advice when suspecting financial abuse, as collecting evidence yourself can carry legal risks.

Which signals point to alimony fraud?

As an alimony recipient, you are not powerless. The following signals may indicate your ex-partner is not being honest about their financial situation:

• Lifestyle that does not match declared income, such as luxury purchases
• Sudden income drop shortly after divorce or alimony determination
• Vagueness about work activities, irregular hours or no clear employer
• Unreported business activities, company participations or freelance work
• New partner with assets and possible undisclosed cohabitation
• Foreign travel or business activities inconsistent with declared income

How SAJ Recherche conducts an alimony investigation

At SAJ Recherche, we conduct alimony investigations aimed at establishing the actual financial situation of the alimony payer. Our investigation is discreet, proportionate and delivers evidence admissible in court.

• Financial background investigation of registrations, property and vehicle ownership
• OSINT investigation mapping lifestyle and activities via social media
• Surveillance to establish unreported work activities or off-the-books income
• Business investigation analysing turnover, clients and financial constructions
• Factual reporting suitable for court, the LBIO or your lawyer

All investigations are conducted under POB licence 8779 and in compliance with the Wpbr and GDPR. We operate within the boundaries of the law and collect evidence in a manner that passes the proportionality test.

Practical example: director-shareholder with hidden turnover

A single mother suspected her ex-husband, a consultancy director-shareholder, was understating his income. Official accounts showed barely any profit, yet he was visibly living well. SAJ Recherche analysed the company finances and conducted OSINT research revealing he was actively promoting services and executing projects not reflected in the accounts. Surveillance confirmed he worked at clients whose payments bypassed his company. Further investigation showed part of the turnover was invoiced through his new partner’s company. With our report, the client’s lawyer requested an alimony revision; the court ruled the ex-husband had concealed income and redetermined alimony based on actual earning capacity.

You have a right to honesty

Alimony is based on financial transparency. When your ex-partner fails to provide this, you have the right to have the actual situation investigated.

Suspect your ex-partner is concealing income or assets? Contact SAJ Recherche for a confidential consultation.