Belfius Bank Faces Criminal Court Over Phishing Refund Case

Belfius, a Belgian state-owned bank, is set to appear in criminal court in November 2026 for failing to reimburse a customer who lost €100,000 in a phishing scam. The victim, a French-speaking woman, was deceived by a fraudster impersonating a Card Stop employee. Despite the legal obligation for banks to refund unauthorized payments immediately, Belfius denied the refund, leading the victim to pursue civil action and now criminal charges. This case marks the first time a bank has been criminally prosecuted for non-repayment in a phishing incident. Recent court rulings have indicated that banks must make provisional refunds while investigating customer responsibility. The outcome could set a significant legal precedent regarding banks' responsibilities in fraud cases.

Key Points: • Belfius Bank is the first bank in Belgium to face criminal charges for failing to refund a phishing victim. • The victim lost €100,000 due to a phishing scam involving a fraudster posing as a Card Stop employee. • Recent court rulings support immediate refunds for unauthorized transactions while investigations are ongoing.