Antwerp Diamond Scammer Arrested
Apr 23, 1999 11:15 AM
By Martin Rapaport
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Belgian authorities have arrested a diamond courier, an expert
valuator of the Diamond Office and a diamond dealer who is alleged to
have coordinated the falsification of diamond export and import
documents. According to reports in the Belgian press the illicit
diamond export/import scheme involved ten firms and as much as $62
million. The investigation and arrests following similar government
activities last year is creating concern in the Antwerp diamond
community. Leading Belgian diamantaires hope that the investigation
will show that only a small number of firms are involved and that the
new tax agreement between Belgium's diamond industry and the
government will discourage illicit shipments and provide renewed
confidence in the Belgian diamond industry.
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Tags:
Belgium, Government
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