15.11.2026 18:11
During the demolition of an old house in Belgium, three workers found a jar full of gold coins hidden beneath the cellar. The workers shared the treasure, worth approximately 13.3 million lira, among themselves without reporting it to the authorities, and converted the gold into money by selling it. However, the truth that emerged shortly afterward brought the three workers to court. The court found the workers guilty of theft.
A demolition operation carried out in the Assebroek area near the city of Bruges, Belgium, led to an unexpected discovery. F.M. (46), T.D. (46), and P.K. (50), who were assigned to the demolition of an old house, noticed a hidden compartment beneath the cellar while working with a crane.
A jar full of gold coins was found in the compartment, which was not included in the demolition plans. The collection, consisting of South African Krugerrands and Belgian ECU coins, was determined to have a total value of 240,000 euros, approximately 13 million 337 thousand lira.
THEY SHARED THE GOLD WITHOUT TELLING ANYONE
According to The Brussels Times, the workers chose to share the treasure among themselves instead of reporting it to the authorities. The investigation revealed that F.M. sold 67 coins—12 Krugerrands and 55 Belgian ECUs—in Antwerp for 52,000 euros. It was determined that T.D. sold the gold that fell to his share for 30,000 euros and spent the money on cars and gambling. The third worker, P.K., was found to have taken one gold coin and 2,000 euros from the treasure.
A RUMOR BROUGHT EVERYTHING TO LIGHT
The treasure found by the workers did not remain secret for long. After one of the workers mentioned the discovery, rumors about a bag full of jewelry spread around. When the situation reached the family of the former homeowner, a complaint was filed in 2020. Thus, an investigation was launched into how the gold was found and by whom it was sold.
It was learned that the house belonged to an elderly woman who sold her property and moved into a nursing home in 2018. It was stated that the woman, who was 93 years old during the trial, and her family were unaware of the treasure in the house's hidden compartment.
THE COURT FOUND THEM GUILTY OF THEFT
In June, the lawyers of the three workers who appeared before a judge at the Bruges Criminal Court of First Instance argued that their clients did not act with intent to steal. The defense argued that the gold should be considered a hidden treasure found by chance and should be divided between the finders and the new property owner. The representatives of the former homeowner opposed this view and demanded 240,000 euros in compensation. The court ruled that the workers' having found the treasure did not give them the right to share and sell the gold among themselves. All three workers were found guilty of stealing and selling the gold coins. However, the reported information did not specify the amount of the sentences given to the workers.