Scammers are being investigated for impersonating King Philippe of the Belgians.
The con artists are pretending to be His Majesty to extort money from foreign dignitaries and business leaders.
The Belgian Justice System is leading an investigation into the scammers. Federal prosecutors explained on 24 January that the victims are carefully selected based on their connections to the Belgian Royal Family.
The unknown individuals have been using WhatsApp messaging, phone and email to impersonate His Majesty, his Chief of Staff Vincent Houssiau, and Major General Stéphane Dutron, who is the head of the General Intelligence and Security Service (SGRS).
The con artists requested funds to assist in the release of Belgian journalists in Syria being held hostage. The requests began at the beginning of 2025 and were attempted again in January 2026.
Most of the victims recognised that something was amiss, and only in one instance did money exchange hands.
The federal prosecutor’s office said, “Fortunately, most of the victims quickly realised the deception … in only one case was a sum of money actually transferred.”
Specialised units of the federal police are assisting prosecutors in the investigation.
Be the first to comment on "Scammers impersonate King Philippe"