The Brussel Times on 14th May reported that, in a fraud case against a criminal organisation within the Traveller community, 13 suspects appeared before the Council Chamber, the federal prosecutor’s office stated. Ssome 1,200 police officers, including 820 federal police investigators, air support and special federal police units were taking part to carry out more than 200 raids. The operation was supported by French police near the Belgian-French border. Stolen vehicles and goods were seized, as well as an automatic weapon, handguns, rifles, luxury cars, watches, jewels, €1 million in cash and a total of 90 caravans, 91 vehicles and 34 properties. The normal form of fraud involved criminals posing as buyers who would respond to an advert placed by an individual wishing to sell a car. A fraudulent bank transfer would be made in the buyer’s presence and proof of the transaction displayed on a phone or tablet. The vehicle would then quickly be taken by the buyer and driven abroad. The losses resulting from the car thefts exceed €6.5 million.
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