Antwerp man charged with Staging Luxury Car Accidents

Sarhan Basem
Credit: AP

Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper): A 42-year-old man from Antwerp faces insurance fraud charges for staging four accidents with luxury cars, seeking €100,000. Verdict on Jan 31.

An investigation was opened on a 42-year-old man from Antwerp after an insurance company issued a complaint at the end of 2021. For two years, he claimed four accidents in which luxury cars, including an Audi and a BMW, were struck while parked. He had insured these cars for their full value, even though he bought them for less. When two of the cars were declared total losses, he received nearly 100,000 euros from the insurance. The insurance companies suspected fraud and found that the accidents involved people he knew. They also claimed he forged documents related to the accidents.

Is the Antwerp man guilty of staging car accidents for insurance fraud?

A man in Antwerp is in trouble for allegedly faking car accidents to get insurance money. The prosecutor says his expensive cars and large cash deposits don’t match the low income he reported with his wife. They think the money might be from illegal activities and are asking for a three-year prison sentence and a fine. The insurance company’s lawyer claims the man is acting like a victim, but it’s suspicious that the same people are involved in the accidents, making it seem like a scam.

AR is seeking to be acquitted of insurance fraud. His lawyer, Tim Smet, argues that insurance companies promote overinsurance. Smet claims AR followed their guidelines and is an individual who understands discounts. He insists there’s no forgery involved and that the accidents involving AR and his acquaintances do not indicate fraud. Smet states that AR’s family income and rental properties explain the financial amounts in question. A verdict is expected on January 31.

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Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
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Sarhan Basem is Brussels Morning's Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful commentary and in-depth coverage. Beyond the world of journalism, Sarhan is an avid traveler, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and enjoys unwinding with a good book or indulging in outdoor adventures whenever possible.
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