“A total of 862 compensations were paid in 2021,” says Melissa Cornelis, head of the Special Techniques Department of the Judicial Operations Directorate. “How much money an informant gets depends on the risk they run and how valuable the information is.” In practice, it fluctuates between 50 euros and “several thousand euros”.
The fact that the police give money to criminals is sensitive. But the police emphasize that this makes the investigation cheaper. “Thanks to the information obtained, we know better where and who to look for.” Moreover, the money is only paid if it is proven that the information is correct and useful.