Four sentenced to prison for kidnapping Dutch minor
The Antwerp criminal court has sentenced four young men to 40 months in prison, half of which was suspended, for the kidnapping of a Dutch minor. The case is believed to have stemmed from a dispute involving phishing fraud.
The incident came to light on 18 March 2025, when Belgian police were informed that the victim had been released in the Netherlands and that the suspected kidnappers were travelling towards Antwerp in a Volkswagen Golf. Two suspects were arrested shortly afterwards.
According to the victim, he had responded to a Snapchat message offering an opportunity to earn money. He travelled by train to Antwerp with a friend on 17 March and was picked up by a group of men. After driving around for some time, he was assaulted and forced into another vehicle, while his friend was allowed to leave.
The victim said his mobile phone was taken and that he was told to pay 1,700 euros or “end up in the water”. His father subsequently transferred the money, after which the teenager was released near a supermarket in Breda. The suspects then sent his location to his father.
ANPR camera data and surveillance footage linked the four defendants to the case.
The defendants denied that a hostage situation had taken place, arguing that the victim was free to leave at any time and requesting acquittal. The prosecution maintained that the victim’s release was conditional on payment of the money and therefore constituted hostage-taking.
The court agreed with the prosecution and convicted all four men.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS
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