This month in the North of France: the “Madoff from Boulogne” sentenced to prison, a trial required against the president of Lille Metropole regarding the stadium tender, and two cases of internal theft at Amazon.
Boulogne-sur-Mer: the "Madoff from Boulogne" sentenced to five years of prison
Judged in March (see the press review of March 2020), a former insurance broker called “the Madoff of Boulogne” has been sentenced to five years of prison (including 2 years and 6 months of suspended prison) by the criminal court in Boulogne-sur-Mer. He also has to pay 4.7 millions euros to the civil parties, together with a businessman who advised to invest in a gold mine in Burkina Faso.
Lille: a trial required against the president of Lille Metropole in the Lille's stadium affair
In 2018, the prosecutor’s office in Lille had requested additional information regarding M. Castelain, the president of the European Metropolis of Lille, with regard of the construction contract of the new stadium in Lille. This was directly linked to the delivery of blue stones by the company Eiffage to the president’s house.
The prosecutor’s office now requested for a trial against the MEL president. A judge will have to decide whether a trial should take place or not.
Dunkirk: "Dédé le Belge" arrested for misappropriation of funds and fraudulent bankruptcy
In 2017 more than 300 customers filled a complaint against DLB Meubles and DLB Cuisines, two furniture stores near Dunkirk. They had paid a deposit before the company was put into liquidation.
The owner of this company, nicknamed “Dédé le Belge”, as well as his spouse and his associate, have been place in custody for misappropriation of funds and fraudulent bankruptcy. The investigation was assigned to the “Police Judiciaire” in Lille. Most of the victims are coming from the Dunkirk area.
Douai: two cases of internal theft at Amazon for a prejudice of several hundreds of thousands euros
A former employee of Amazon in Lauwin-Planque near Douai has been arrested for stealing and selling electronic devices for a value of 180 K€. His lifestyle was not consistent with his incomes, and the investigators could find evidence by analyzing his Paypal account.
At the same time, another employee of Amazon has been arrested, as he was caught stealing mobile phones. The prejudice over the last months is estimated around 30 and 40 K€.
Internal theft is a real risk for logistics companies. A private investigator may bring evidence regarding the thief and the goods destination: see our investigation services for companies.