Three Belgian women are suspected of swindling an 85-year-old man out of €185,000 through friendship fraud and poisoning, the Leuven public prosecutor's office said on Friday.
The investigation was launched after the victim, an 85-year-old resident of Flemish Brabant town Messelbroek, filed a complaint with the Demerdal police zone in July.
According to prosecutors, the three suspects, aged 45, 24 and 22, allegedly gained the man's trust before exploiting him financially.
Investigators believe the women administered medication to the victim to prevent him from travelling with them, allowing them to continue accessing his finances.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, a detailed banking investigation later revealed that more than €185,000 was allegedly taken from the man and spent on travel, luxury clothing and jewellery.
Police searches carried out on 3 November at the suspects' homes in Lier uncovered expensive jewellery and designer clothing. The three women were arrested and brought before an investigating judge the following day.
The 45-year-old suspect partially confessed to the allegations and was initially placed under electronic monitoring. She has since been released on bail. The two younger suspects, aged 22 and 24, were also released on bail.
On 26 January, the investigating judge ordered the seizure of the suspects' homes. Prosecutors described the measure as provisional, meaning the properties cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of while the judicial investigation continues.
Detectives from the Demerdal police zone are continuing the investigation under the supervision of the investigating judge.
