The leader of a scamming network that operated via false chocolate sales has been sentenced to a prison term and a fine by the Walloon Brabant Criminal Court.
On Friday, Sofian L. of Montignies-sur-Sambre was sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined €1,600, with the court ordering a further €35,000 to be confiscated. Along with six accomplices, the 23-year-old had scammed elderly people while disguising as scouts and selling chocolates.
They group hired vehicles under false names, sought out elderly individuals and sold them chocolate. Disguised as scouts, they insisted on digital transactions only, declining cash payments and offering to assist the targeted senior citizens by entering their confidential PINs on their behalf.
Once in possession of the necessary codes, the group would return a fake bank card, identical to the original. These cards had been stolen from the same bank during previous illegal operations. By the time victims realised their debit cards had been swapped, the culprits had already made withdrawals and purchases from their accounts.
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Around 50 people in Walloon Brabant and the surrounding area were scammed in this way. Sofian L. had previously been convicted for similar offences in Namur and resumed his illicit activities five days after electronic surveillance on him was lifted.
Part of the stolen funds, amounting to over €140,000 in total, was laundered via the purchase of Paysafecards, primarily used for online gaming. The group offloaded these cards slightly below the purchase price to obtain cash.
Sofian L.'s absent accomplice, Aaron G., was also sentenced to a 30-month prison term and fined €20,000. The remaining accomplices received community service of up to 300 hours.
