19.06.2025 10:50
Three construction workers are being accused of theft after discovering a pot filled with gold in a hidden compartment during the demolition of an old house in Assebroek, Belgium. The 93-year-old former owner of the house claims that the gold belongs to him and is demanding 240,000 euros in compensation from the workers. Here are the details of the news that could be the subject of a movie...
Three construction workers who found a pot full of gold in a hidden compartment during the demolition of an old house in Assebroek, Belgium, are now accused of theft. A 93-year-old woman claiming to be the owner of the gold is demanding 240,000 euros in compensation from the workers.
THEY FOUND A POT CONTAINING GOLD COINS
After an elderly woman moved out, the house went up for sale in 2018 and was decided to be demolished at the end of 2019. F.M. (46), who was assigned by the new owner, along with T.D. (46) and P.K. (50), stumbled upon a hidden compartment in the basement that was not included in the project. In the hidden area revealed by breaking the floor, they found a pot containing South African Krugerrands and 50 Belgian ECU gold coins.
THEY SHARED AMONG THEMSELVES
According to allegations, instead of searching for the owner of this treasure, the workers shared the gold among themselves. It was reported that F.M. earned 52,000 euros by selling 67 gold coins in Antwerp, while T.D. made approximately 30,000 euros. P.K. reportedly received only one gold coin.
THE WORKER WHO ONLY GOT ONE GOLD COIN...
After the worker who received only one gold coin told neighbors that they found jewelry in the house, the incident quickly reached the children of the former homeowner. It was stated that the elderly woman had forgotten the gold in the hidden compartment behind the safe. The family filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutor's office in 2020. The woman who approached the prosecutor's office demanded a total of 240,000 euros in compensation from the three workers.
THE DEBATE OF "TREASURE OR THEFT?"
In the case heard in the Bruges court, the prosecution argued that the workers committed the crime of "theft," while the defense claimed it was a "find." The defendants' lawyers stated that the gold was found by their clients by chance and that there was no malicious intent. P.K.'s lawyer went even further, arguing that the former homeowner no longer owned the property at that time and therefore the compensation case should be dismissed. The lawyer reminded that according to Belgian Civil Code, such finds can be jointly owned by the property owner and the finder.
COURT DECISION AWAITED
The outcome of the case is still uncertain. The court's decision will not only determine the fate of the three workers but will also answer the question of "what is a find, what is theft?" The Belgian public is eagerly awaiting the final decision regarding the 240,000 euro gold treasure.