24.01.2026 18:14
Belgium is shaken by one of the most extraordinary fraud cases in its history. It has emerged that unidentified individuals have established a large-scale fraud network by using artificial intelligence technologies to replicate the identities of King Philippe and high-ranking state officials. The Federal Prosecutor's Office is trying to track down the criminals by following digital footprints.
Belgium has been shaken by one of the most striking cyber fraud cases encountered so far. It has emerged that an unidentified individual or individuals attempted to establish a large-scale fraud network by copying the identities of King Philippe and high-ranking state officials using AI-supported "deepfake" technologies. The Federal Prosecutor's Office warned that the attackers aimed to breach the palace's firewalls through digital methods.
THE STATE'S TOP LEADERS TARGETED
According to the investigation, the fraudsters did not stop at just King Philippe's identity. The King's Chief of Staff Vincent Houssiau and the Director General of the General Intelligence and Security Service (ADIV) Lieutenant General Stephane Dutron were also used in fake scenarios. The prosecutor's office stated that since the beginning of 2025, foreign state officials, businesspeople, and established families have been systematically targeted via phone, WhatsApp, and email.
FIRST STAGE: HOSTAGE JOURNALIST SCENARIO
It was determined that the suspects exploited the victims' humanitarian feelings in the first stage. Fraudsters, who created the impression of acting on behalf of the Royal Palace or the King Baudouin Foundation, requested substantial financial support under the pretext of rescuing Belgian journalists allegedly held hostage in Syria. Analyzing the past direct or indirect connections of the targeted individuals with the Royal family increased the credibility of the attempt.
SECOND WAVE: THE "FAKE" KING ON SCREEN
After a few weeks of silence, the fraud network reactivated earlier this month with a more sophisticated method. This time, the suspects directly targeted Belgian businesspeople and conducted video calls. It was reported that the victims, who were led to believe that the person seen on the other end of the calls was King Philippe himself, faced AI-generated deepfake images.
GALA DINNER TRAP
Another method included in the investigation file was fake event invitations. Some businesspeople received official-looking invitations for the King Baudouin Foundation Gala Dinner, allegedly to be held in February and April 2026. It was determined that money was requested under the guise of "donations" and "sponsorships" within the scope of these fictitious organizations.
FEDERAL UNITS ON ALERT
The Federal Prosecutor's Office, along with the Federal Computer Crimes Unit (FCCU) and specialized teams within the police, has initiated a comprehensive preliminary investigation. Authorities stated that digital traces are being meticulously examined, while announcing that detailed information will not be shared for now due to the confidentiality of the investigation.