What started as a seemingly noble initiative grew into one of the biggest scandals of the corona crisis. How could a promise to supply face masks ‘without profit’ result in millions in profits for Sywert van Lienden, Camille van Gestel and Bernd Damme? In the four-part documentary series Het mondkapjesgoud, investigative journalists from KRO-NCRV reveal the story behind the controversial face mask deal that the trio made with the government.
The healthcare heroes
Feb 5, 2025
It’s been five years since the coronavirus crisis broke out in the Netherlands. Soon after, there was a major shortage of face masks. Sywert van Lienden believed that the government was unable to address the shortage. Together with business partners Camille van Gestel and Bernd Damme, he built a network to supply healthcare institutions with masks. The trio claimed to be doing it without any profit motive — but things turned out differently.
Political Doors
Feb 12, 2025
Sywert van Lienden establishes contact with the government about supplying face masks. Through his tweets and political connections, he manages to put pressure on Minister Hugo de Jonge. When Minister Van Rijn calls on Easter Sunday, the deal seems to be sealed. But is this a deal from which Sywert and his business partners Camille van Gestel and Bernd Damme are allowed to profit millions — or is it truly “non-profit”? An intriguing behind-the-scenes look at the trio and The Hague, based on conversations with key players, numerous chat messages, and never-before-seen audio and video recordings.
The Day of My Life
Feb 19, 2025
Behind the scenes, intense negotiations are taking place over the face mask deal involving Sywert van Lienden and business partners Camille van Gestel and Bernd Damme. Not everyone believes the deal is necessary, but the Ministry of Health pushes forward. It soon becomes clear that the trio is earning millions from it. Was this planned from the start? And what was the role of the senior civil servant who, under orders from his political superiors, had to keep buying masks? An intriguing inside look at the face mask affair, based on conversations with key players, numerous chat messages, and never-before-seen audio and video recordings.
Unmasked?
Feb 26, 2025
Following reports in the media, the public image of Sywert van Lienden shifts — from benefactor to fraudster. He and his business partners Camille van Gestel and Bernd Damme have become multimillionaires through the face mask deal. One of the volunteers confronts Camille about this in a revealing phone conversation. Various lawsuits are launched to recover the millions. Is this justified, or has it turned into a witch hunt? An intriguing behind-the-scenes look at the trio and The Hague, based on conversations with key figures, numerous chat messages, and never-before-seen audio and video recordings.
Scapegoat
Mar 5, 2025
Five years after the start of the face mask affair, Sywert van Lienden looks back in depth for the first time on how the deal came about, the media storm, and the lawsuits he is now involved in. To the outside world, he went from benefactor to fraudster. As the most recognizable face of the trio, he received the harshest criticism. How has this affected his life, and how does he now reflect on the deal of his lifetime?
