Romanian gang stole 14 luxury cars from Antwerp port in a perfectly orchestrated heist
What seemed like a routine vehicle transport turned into one of the most meticulously planned car thefts in recent Belgian history. In November 2023, a Romanian criminal group successfully stole 14 brand-new Toyota Land Cruisers from Van Moer Logistics in the port of Antwerp over a single weekend. The vehicles, destined for export to Africa, were removed from the premises with the help of unsuspecting Dutch transport companies.
According to court documents, the operation began on the evening of November 3, 2023, when three vehicles — two tow trucks and a black Audi — arrived at the company’s gate on Noorderlaan. Surveillance footage showed two men dressed in Van Moer Logistics uniforms opening the gate and directing the drivers. They even stamped falsified freight documents using a replica company seal. Minutes later, both tow trucks left the compound carrying brand-new Toyotas.
The following morning, around 5 a.m., the same scenario played out: the fake employees reopened the gates, and another vehicle was taken. By Saturday night, the thieves returned for a third round, driving three more Toyotas off the site themselves with headlights turned off. A tow truck hauled away two additional vehicles toward the Netherlands. On Sunday evening, the gang made one final visit, stealing two more Land Cruisers — bringing the total to 14 vehicles in three days.
The theft went unnoticed until the following week, when the company discovered the missing cars.
An international investigation involving Belgian, Dutch, and Czech authorities eventually uncovered the gang’s trail. Four of the stolen cars were found at a Dutch transport company, along with paperwork indicating further shipment to Bulgaria. Two more were recovered in the Czech Republic, where one suspect was caught removing chassis numbers.
The Dutch drivers claimed they had been hired by three Romanian men who posed as legitimate representatives of Van Moer Logistics. They maintained that they believed the operation was legal and that the heist appeared to be an “inside job.” Investigators later confirmed they had no prior knowledge that the vehicles were stolen and thus were not prosecuted.
Seven Romanian nationals were charged. Five failed to appear in court, while two — identified as I. Giurca and M. Popa — attended under electronic monitoring. Both denied involvement, claiming to be mere intermediaries, but the court rejected their statements as implausible.
Calling the crimes “particularly serious” and a demonstration of “utter disregard for others’ property,” the court sentenced all defendants to four years in prison and imposed €4,000 fines. Their assets, including over €400,000, were confiscated. Civil plaintiffs were provisionally awarded €1 in symbolic damages pending the full calculation of financial losses.
