Belgian Police Arrest Suspected Phishing Gang Leader in $572,000 Money-Laundering Case

Belgium’s Federal Judicial Police made online phishing an investigative priority in the Antwerp region in March 2026. The group allegedly impersonated government authorities in emails and phone calls, tricking victims into installing remote-access software before transferring their money. The case highlights the cross-border risks posed by social engineering combined with cryptocurrency-based money laundering.

Belgian police said on July 2, 2026, that they had arrested a 19-year-old key suspect at an Airbnb property in Antwerp, where another suspect was also found. An investigating judge issued an arrest warrant for the main suspect after questioning. The group allegedly stole more than €500,000, or about $572,000, and laundered the proceeds through money mules, cash couriers and cryptocurrency.