A 41-year-old woman is standing trial on charges of swindling approximately two million euro from family members, friends, and acquaintances under the guise of fake investments and medical expenses, according to the public prosecutor’s office. The defendant, identified in court records as S.V., allegedly funneled the borrowed funds into luxury goods and travel.
Business Fronts and Scale of the Alleged Fraud
According to the public prosecutor, S.V. utilized her former businesses—clothing store Galerie Gabrielle in Diestsestraat in Aarschot and a cosmetic company in Geel—to channel the borrowed money. The kledingzaak in Aarschot has since gone bankrupt. Investigators state that her stepfather alone lost more than 500,000 euro in the scheme. Furthermore, Het Nieuwsblad reports that several men lent large sums after believing they were in a romantic relationship with the defendant.
Did you know? Court filings indicate that S.V. allegedly impersonated lawyers or private detectives to win trust.
Fabricated Personas and Coerced Labor
To secure trust from her victims, S.V. allegedly posed as an attorney and a private detective. The prosecutor’s office states she convinced a female friend that she had advanced 335,000 euro to resolve legal troubles involving an ex-partner. Believing she needed to repay this immense debt, the friend ultimately went to work as an escort.
Medical emergencies were also deployed as financial levers. The prosecutor notes that S.V. told an uncle she was undergoing chemotherapy at a time when she was reportedly staying on a culinary weekend.
Prosecution Demands and Defense Position
The public prosecutor has demanded a three-year prison sentence, with half to be served on probation, alongside a 25,000 euro fine for each of her two corporate entities. In contrast, S.V. is asking for an acquittal. Her defense counsel argues that she genuinely intended to repay the money and simply made poor business choices as an entrepreneur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does S.V. face in court?
S.V. is on trial for allegedly defrauding family, friends, and acquaintances out of approximately two million euro through fictitious investments and fabricated medical costs.
How much prison time is the prosecution seeking?
According to the public prosecutor’s office, authorities are seeking a three-year prison sentence, with half suspended, plus corporate fines.
What was the defense’s response to the allegations?
S.V.’s defense team maintains that she always intended to return the funds and merely struggled with poor entrepreneurial decisions.
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