A couple has been arrested at their rental home near Bois de la Cambre in Brussels under the suspicion of faking a luxurious lifestyle to swindle people out of money.
The two suspects were detained on suspicion of forgery, money laundering, fraud and breach of trust. Their ploy involved duping people into believing they were much wealthier than they were to obtain several loans and new business partners.
After having aroused the suspicions of the authorities, police searched their address in the Square Milliardaire (which is translated as Billionaire’s Square) in the affluent, closed-gate community just by the Bois de la Cambre.
The search in the rental property on 21 August 2024 revealed that the couple were living a lifestyle which did not reflect their personal and business accounts.
The case was opened back on 9 October 2023, when the Financial Information Processing Unit (CTIF) sent a report raising the alarm over "serious indications" of money laundering resulting from the misuse of the couple’s company assets.
The case was referred to the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office, which then passed it on the case to an examining magistrate for the offences of forgery, fraud and laundering of assets. The Economic and Financial Section (ECOFIN) of the Brussels Federal Judicial Police (PJF) was tasked with the investigation.
When possible criminal offences were flagged by the College for the Supervision of Auditors (CSRE), the charges were extended to include fraud, breach of trust and misuse of company assets.
Fake companies
The couple, named by police as W.D.G. and S.A., are suspected of falsifying documents about their financial situation to obtain money, with the tow having even entered the field of corporate auditing. Despite taking over a number of auditing firms, these offices were found to be failing to function properly after being taken over.
Companies were also set up to appear of great value – in which many shares were allegedly sold at high prices. Investigators found, however, that these companies turned out to be worthless. In particular, they allegedly convinced a notary that they had millions to incorporate these companies.
A third man is implicated, a company auditor, who also signed false documents provided by the couple, but he was conditionally released. On 28 August 2024, the two suspects were brought before the Brussels Council Chamber, which decided to extend their detention.
The judicial investigation continues, according to the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office, who is looking for other possible victims.
