Belgian court orders bank to reimburse €50,000 to elderly phishing victims

An Antwerp court ruled on May 26 that a Belgian bank must immediately refund nearly €50,000 to a nonagenarian couple who were duped by fraudsters posing as bank employees. The 90‑ and 93‑year‑old victims transferred €49,958 to a Portuguese account after a phone scam; the bank had refused repayment, claiming the customers were negligent. The judge ordered provisional reimbursement, stating that under Belgian law the bank must first compensate victims and can only seek recovery later if it can prove serious negligence.

Consumer Protection Minister Rob Beenders highlighted the decision, noting that a PIN or the itsme digital ID does not automatically prove consent in phishing cases. Legal experts said the judgment could set a precedent, as only about 10 % of phishing victims currently receive refunds. The ruling arrives amid growing scrutiny of banks' handling of fraud claims in Belgium.