Multiple victims gathered at the Hasselt correctional court on Monday, expressing outrage over a car sales scam that has shaken trust in Belgium’s secondhand vehicle market. The case, unfolding around 2025-05-19 19:45:00, involves a man who impersonated a middleman to defraud buyers across the country. Many victims lost their savings, some even taking loans to buy cars that never existed.
- Multiple victims confronted the defendant in court
- Defendant posed as intermediary in car sales
- Police arrested suspect during Volkswagen Polo sale
- Suspect cut electronic ankle monitor bracelet
- Prosecutor demanded 50 months prison and fine
- Defendant claimed willingness to repay victims
The accused, a 60-year-old Lebanese man, exploited online platforms like Autoscout24 to lure interested buyers. By pretending to be a genuine intermediary, he arranged meetings at garages, collected payments, and vanished without delivering the vehicles. This brazen fraud has left around fifteen victims out of pocket by approximately €130,000.
How could such a scheme go unnoticed for months? And what does this mean for buyers seeking secondhand cars in Belgium? These questions highlight the risks involved and set the stage for the latest court developments.
What makes this scam particularly troubling is the defendant’s lack of remorse and sophisticated methods. Despite previous convictions, he continued his scheme, even cutting off his electronic ankle bracelet to evade authorities. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of current monitoring and the vulnerability of consumers.
- Victims came from all over Belgium, reflecting widespread impact.
- The accused used fake license plates and forged invoices to appear legitimate.
- Authorities arrested him during a staged sale of a Volkswagen Polo in Hasselt.
- The court will deliver its verdict on June 2, with significant penalties expected.
As the verdict approaches, Belgian buyers must ask themselves: how can they protect their hard-earned money from similar fraud? Staying informed and cautious is vital to prevent falling victim to such scams in the future.
