Internet fraud continues to pose a serious threat to Belgian residents, as demonstrated by a recent case in Sint-Michiels. On 2025-05-15 13:30:00, a woman reported to Bruges police that she had unknowingly transferred nearly €84,000 to a fraudulent bank account after receiving a fake payment request.
- Woman reports internet fraud to police
- Fraudulent account number detected by bank
- Bank blocks transferred fraudulent payment
- Police and prosecutors investigate online scammers
- Verify invoices and payment requests carefully
- Call company to confirm suspicious details
The victim had contracted a renovation company and was still settling the final invoice. However, after receiving a second payment request with a different bank number, she transferred the amount without suspecting anything. Only later did the bank and police discover the account was fraudulent, preventing the loss from becoming permanent.
This incident raises important questions: how can Belgians better protect themselves from such sophisticated scams? And what steps should you take if you suspect fraud? The following fast answer provides key advice.
Why do these scams succeed, and how can you spot them early? Fraudsters often create nearly perfect copies of legitimate invoices, making it hard to detect discrepancies. To stay safe:
- Double-check bank account numbers before transferring funds
- Contact the company by phone to confirm any unusual payment requests
- Be wary of urgent emails demanding immediate payment
- Report suspicious activity promptly to local police
As online scams become more sophisticated, Belgian residents must remain cautious and proactive. Could you be the next target? Stay alert, verify all payment details, and help authorities by reporting any suspicious activity immediately.
