Accusations of fraud and money laundering emerge as scrutiny intensifies around the vintage clothing chain and its ecological claims.
On April 5, 2023, social media platform Twitter became a focal point for allegations against Think Twice, a vintage clothing chain, when a user named @antoon_vr claimed that the organization was connected to a network of fraud and money laundering. This tweet set off a chain reaction, drawing significant attention to Think Twice’s business practices and its ecological and sustainability claims. Many store employees reported receiving customer inquiries regarding the authenticity of these claims, as highlighted by conversations with both current and former staff who preferred to remain anonymous to avoid potential backlash.
The discussion about Think Twice intensified within student communities, particularly in Ghent, where the chain had gained popularity as an alternative shopping destination. The situation escalated further following an opinion piece in the student magazine, Schamper, on April 15, urging peers to reconsider their support for the thrift store.
By mid-May 2023, amidst the growing scrutiny, Ilona Daniuniene, a member of the company’s board based in Lithuania, was approached for comment but expressed frustration about the questions being raised. Shortly after this interaction, the company enacted significant changes, including the termination of three employees and placing its website into maintenance mode. Daniuniene assumed a more active role in company oversight, requesting access to surveillance camera logs and managing operations remotely.
Various employees shared concerns about the operational integrity of Think Twice with De Morgen. The investigations revealed that the clothes sold in the stores are sourced from clothing containers, processed in Lithuania, washed in Oman, and subsequently distributed across several countries, including Belgium. The chain purchases bags of clothing weighing 20 kilograms for amounts as low as 1.50 euros to 4 euros, which reportedly allows for considerable profit margins, with earnings on each bag reaching up to 600 euros. Documents reviewed by De Morgen indicate that the chain made an operating profit of 436,000 euros in 2023, but anecdotal evidence suggests that personnel were informed of profits amounting to 2.1 million euros on a total turnover of 10 million euros—significantly higher than what was reported.
The financial structure of Think Twice appears complex and troubling. Substantial profits earned in Belgium are reportedly funneled to Lithuania and then on to Humana Second Hand Fundraising Projects, which operates as a non-governmental organization focused on humanitarian efforts through the sale of second-hand clothing. In 2023 alone, approximately 850,000 euros was transferred to this parent organization. However, investigative findings suggest that only a small fraction of these funds—13 percent—reach actual charitable causes, with the remainder seemingly retained within Europe, a report by Danwatch outlines.
Concerns surrounding the handling of funds extended to allegations of misappropriation, whereby profits are allegedly redirected through a convoluted system of companies controlled by the organization’s leadership. Testimonies from former employees indicated that funds meant for humanitarian purposes often return to Humana through various high-cost services, further diminishing the impact of the charitable contributions that were initially intended.
The tightly knit network surrounding Think Twice and its parent organization has historical ties to controversial figures, most notably Mogens Amdi Petersen, founder of Humana. Petersen has faced multiple legal challenges, including financial crime convictions, and remains a fugitive sought for embezzlement in Denmark. Investigative platforms such as Reveal have previously reported on the intricate operations of the organization, including claims that substantial amounts of money flowing through these channels primarily benefit a few at the top rather than the intended humanitarian projects.
Current and former associates of Think Twice, and related entities, have raised alarms about working conditions within the warehouse, which have drawn the attention of labor inspectors for maintaining inadequate and unsafe environments. Reports by De Morgen have confirmed the presence of mold and other unsafe conditions within the facilities.
In a broader context, the impact of second-hand clothing sales on ecological issues is also under scrutiny. Research has indicated that many garments exported to countries in Africa are often discarded, contributing to increased pollution and waste. According to a study conducted by Changing Markets, a non-profit focused on supply chain irregularities, more than half of the clothing exported is of inferior quality and is rapidly discarded.
As the situation continues to unfold within Think Twice and across its affiliated organizations, the question of transparency regarding both financial and operational practices remains at the forefront of discussions surrounding the vintage clothing retailer.
Source: Noah Wire Services
