A case involving theft, gambling addiction and celebrity recently hit the headlines in Belgium. A postman from Anderlecht, accused of stealing bank cards, ended up in court. Among his victims was a well-known name, Remco Evenepoel, Belgian cycling champion of international stature. The court’s verdict, delivered on 27 February 2025, provided an unexpected solution to this situation.
A series of thefts due to addiction
The postman in question used his position to steal dozens of bank cards. The story began when suspicious transactions were detected on the bank account of a woman in Schepdaal. The woman had reported that she had not received her new bank card, and had also noticed large debits on her account. The ensuing investigation, supported by video surveillance footage from an ATM, revealed the involvement of the postman, a man who appeared to be seeking funds to satisfy his gambling addiction.
A difficult deterioration
The postman, a man with a reputation for a quiet life, nevertheless revealed a dark side. It transpired that he had been stealing bank cards for several months, using them to finance his compulsive gambling habit. According to the prosecution, the individual embezzled nearly €20,000, part of which was taken using the card of Remco Evenepoel, a leading figure in Belgian cycling.
‘In total, the accused cashed in nearly 19,500 euros with the stolen cards. With these cards, he paid for his gambling addiction. He threw away the cards he had used afterwards or returned them to their rightful owners,’ explained the Halle-Vilvoorde public prosecutor’s office.
One of the most high-profile aspects of this case is the theft of Remco Evenepoel’s bank card. The champion cyclist and two-time Olympic medallist had his identity linked to this financial misappropriation. Fortunately, thanks to the rapid payment ban on bank cards, the damage was limited.
An exemplary sentence?
The postman’s trial, which took place in January 2025, highlighted the deteriorating situation. The accused admitted the facts, explaining that his gambling addiction had driven him to commit these acts. The Belgian court, represented by the public prosecutor, requested an 18-month prison sentence, a large part of which was suspended.
On 27 February 2025, the Halle-Vilvoorde court handed down its verdict: a sentence of 175 hours of community service rather than a prison term. The judge felt that this penalty was more appropriate, given the postman’s gambling addiction. However, the court added a strict condition: if the defendant did not complete enough hours of community service, he could face up to 18 months in prison.If you think you might have a problem with gambling, there are resources available to help you. the Stop op tijd (Stop on time) website offers support for people struggling with gambling addiction. You’ll find advice and support services to help you regain control of your life. Don’t hesitate to visit this platform for more information: https://www.stopoptijd.be/.