The investigation started in June 2024 after a report to the police from the West Coast zone. A victim from De Panne had responded to an online ad on Facebook Marketplace. Then the victim paid 168 euros, but the nail polish was never delivered.
Thanks to further research, Speurders could identify a man from Wervik as a suspect. From January 2023 to November 2024, PT would have made at least 72 victims. They bought things via Marketplace, but never received the goods. This included work material, beer glasses and darts. In total, the defendant would have raised 50,000 euros.