A major corruption investigation in which the Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) seized eight properties is focused on six cardiologists: two from the OLVG hospital in Amsterdam and four who recently worked at the CWZ hospital in Nijmegen, Investico and Nieuwsuur reported.

The cardiologists are suspected of taking money from manufacturers of cardiology products and giving those companies preferential treatment, for instance, by using their products more frequently during medical procedures.

According to Nieuwsuur and Investico, all six suspected doctors are experienced cardiologists with long-standing careers. Two of them played a key role in conducting medical research funded by suppliers of medical devices. Another served until recently as a trainer for junior cardiologists.

OLVG confirmed that the FIOD is investigating possible corruption “to the detriment of OLVG,” but provided no further details. CWZ said that the FIOD has informed it about the investigation and that there is no longer any collaboration between CWZ and the cardiologists in question.

Three of the cardiologists who until recently worked at CWZ are now employed by the Acibadem Medical Center, an independent treatment center with branches in four Dutch cities. A spokesperson for Acibadem confirmed to the media outlets that raids were conducted on the cardiologists’ homes early Thursday morning. The cardiologists have been suspended, the spokesperson said.

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) seized properties in Amsterdam, Nijmegen, and Naarden for a total value of at least €1.5 million, Nieuwsuur reported. Several of the properties are private residences worth several hundred thousand euros each. The authorities also seized a storage unit registered to one of the suspected cardiologists.

This investigation resembles a case at the Isala Heart Center in Zwolle in 2022. In that corruption case, the FIOD also seized properties belonging to cardiologists suspected of accepting bribes from Biotronik, a German manufacturer of cardiac implants and pacemakers. The investigation is still ongoing.