Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Ghent court sentenced 4 youths to 75–180 hours of community service for a Snapchat trap attack in Fluweelpark. 3 must pay €5,000 damages; 2 linked to extortion.
AS VRT News reported, the Ghent court has sentenced 4 young people for their part in a violent trap set up through Snapchat. The youths received community service orders ranging from 75 to 180 hours. 3 of them must also pay €5,000 in damages to the victim.
What led police to the 4 youths in the Ghent Snapchat trap?
In August 2024, a young man was lured to Fluweelpark in Ghent using a fake Snapchat account. He went there with a friend but was attacked by several youths as soon as he arrived. One of the attackers used a stun gun. His friend tried to run but was also caught and beaten before managing to escape and hide nearby.
The victim had arrived on a moped, which was left at the scene with the key still in the ignition. The group took the vehicle, drove it around, and later abandoned it near the KAA Gent football stadium. The victim’s bank card was also stolen and used to buy cigarettes and alcohol at a convenience store.
At the hearing, the court described the act of assault as violent and premeditated. Due to their ages and their lack of previous convictions, the judges ordered the violators to perform community service instead of incarcerating them. The police tracked and confirmed the 4 suspects through a thorough investigation and cyber-investigation of their records.
One of the attackers was identifiable from security footage at a neighbouring convenience store shortly after the assault, when the stolen bank card was used to buy cigarettes and alcohol. This led officers to another suspect, who was found via witness-provided information.
A 3rd young person was identified utilising evidence gathered from examination of mobile phone data. The recordings from that mobile phone were subsequently examined, and it was able to identify the 4th person who was involved in the attack at Fluweelpark.
While executing house search warrants after the incident, police officers seized several mobile phones and a SIM card that was linked to the case. Investigation determined 2 of the defendants were surreptitiously involved in a separate/extortion case.
