An employee in the accounting department at Train World ASBL was convicted of committing fraud from 2016 to 2021, as revealed by the VRT on Friday.
The Belgian railway company SNCB, responsible for the Train World museum, filed a complaint, leading to the employee being ordered to pay €1.06 million in damages, confirmed by a company statement.
The employee allegedly issued invoices for cleaning and communication services purportedly provided to Train World, yet these services were never delivered.
The invoices listed the employee’s bank account, redirecting funds to her personal account, resulting in SNCB incurring a loss of €1.06 million up to March 2021. This fraud was uncovered only after the employee’s retirement following the 2020 fiscal year’s closure.
The individual cited personal difficulties and a gambling addiction, telling Flemish public media VRT: "I did not enrich myself; quite the opposite," and expressed shame over her actions.
After the complaints by Train World and SNCB in April 2021, the former employee was sentenced in March 2023 to repay the full amount of €1.06 million. SNCB stated that they have already received part of the repayment.
SNCB has since implemented several measures, including an internal audit that strengthened accounting systems and internal controls. They have also integrated nearly all their subsidiaries, including Train World ASBL.
