23-05-25 Announcement from the KBDB – Pigeon Thefts
Following our press announcement of 21.05.2025, we inform you that, after receiving the results of the DNA research on the stolen pigeons and in consultation with the judicial police, the involved fanciers will be invited for a viewing day.
This viewing day will be organized at the KBDB offices in Halle.
We emphasize that at this moment it serves no purpose to offer yourself spontaneously, as the KBDB is not permitted to take any action without the presence of a representative from the judicial police.
Further practical information and the invitation will be communicated soon.
The national chairman,
Pascal Bodengien.
Press Articles
VRT News 20/05
TV Limburg 20/05 FGP Limburg rolls up international gang that stole millions of euros worth of prize pigeons
Radio 1 20/05 Hundreds of expensive pigeons stolen, criminal gang rolled up
De Morgen 20/05 Police traces gang that steals valuable prize pigeons: 170 pigeons found in Vilvoorde and Romania
HBVL 20/05Limburg detectives capture Romanians who stole millions of euros worth of prize pigeons in Benelux
Nu.Nl 20/05 Belgian police rolls up gang that stole expensive pigeons in Benelux
21-05-25 Press Release KBDB – Status of the Pigeon Theft Investigation
Yesterday morning, the Federal Judicial Police, Limburg department, distributed a national press announcement regarding the results of their investigation into the recent pigeon thefts.
The KBDB also looks back with great satisfaction on the research results achieved so far and expresses its appreciation for the work done over the past six months.
Brief status update:
After the raid in Vilvoorde on Monday morning, March 31, several affected fanciers were already invited to the KBDB headquarters in Halle on Saturday, April 5, by the FGP Limburg. Thanks, among other things, to DNA research, the KBDB was already able to return some pigeons to their rightful owners at that time. This included:
- the national winner Marseille 2024 from Willy Verbruggen (Londerzeel),
- top pigeon Poco Barcelona 2015 and some other stolen pigeons from the combination Van Ouwerkerk-Dekkers (Brasschaat),
- two late yearlings from 2024 belonging to Tom Van Gaver (Moortsele).
In early May, around 70 pigeons were seized in Romania and transferred to the KBDB offices in Halle on Thursday, May 15. Other affected fanciers, in addition to those who have already been invited by the FGP, will be contacted soon for further identification. As soon as more information becomes available, we will further inform our members.
We also request that fanciers who have become victims of a pigeon theft report to us via the email address sport@kbdb.be so that they can be invited to our federation later.
In the meantime, the national chairman, Pascal Bodengien, has already had telephone contact with his NPO colleague Ben Geerink, as several inquiries have also come from the Netherlands. Affected Dutch fanciers will also have the opportunity to view the seized pigeons.
On behalf of all affected fanciers and the KBDB, we would like to sincerely thank the Investigating Judge and FGP Limburg for their intensive and successful investigative work!
20-05-25 Announcement from the KBDB – Breakthrough in the Investigation of Pigeon Thefts.
Press Release – Limburg Public Prosecutor – Breakthrough in investigation into organized thefts of valuable pigeons
In an ongoing judicial investigation, the Federal Judicial Police Limburg, under the leadership of the investigating judge, has tracked down an international gang held responsible for a series of thefts of valuable prize pigeons in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. More than 170 pigeons were recovered, many of which have since been returned to their rightful owners. The total damage may amount to millions of euros.
Two arrests and more than 150 pigeons found
For some time, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg have been plagued by thefts of valuable pigeons. This wave of thefts caused great concern within the world of pigeon racing. The damage was significant, as valuable prize pigeons were consistently targeted.
Following a new theft in Sint-Truiden during the night of January 5 to 6, 2025, the investigation came into the hands of the Federal Judicial Police Limburg. Under the guidance of the investigating judge, investigators uncovered a well-organized international gang.
The gang operated in a very clever manner, specifically searching for winners of international competitions via social media. They used various vehicles for their movements, which could not be directly linked to them. Their communication was also conducted in a way that made it difficult for investigators to track them. Nevertheless, the FGP Limburg managed to locate the suspects, with several addresses in Vilvoorde coming to light.
During a simultaneous intervention, two suspects, two men aged 24 and 45 from Vilvoorde, were arrested on March 31 and subsequently detained by the investigating judge. Investigators found around 100 pigeons in Vilvoorde. Thanks to good cooperation with the Romanian police, another 71 pigeons were found at the parents of one of the suspects in Romania. Additionally, a third suspect was arrested in Romania; the 40-year-old Romanian will be extradited to Belgium. Two more suspects have been identified; they are still being sought.
Care and identification of the pigeons
The Federal Police received assistance from the Pigeon Fanciers Association for the care of the seized pigeons. Thanks to DNA research and the organization of a viewing day, many pigeons have already been returned to their rightful owners. This included descendants of a pair of top breeding pigeons and the winners of the prestigious major prizes of Marseille and Barcelona.
Further investigation
At this moment, at least 15 incidents are linked to this gang, and the total value of the stolen pigeons could amount to millions. The investigation is ongoing by the FGP Limburg under the supervision of the investigating judge.
Possible victims of pigeon thefts committed in 2024 and 2025 may send an email to the Pigeon Fanciers Association at the email address sport@kbdb.be. In cooperation with the association, the FGP will organize another viewing day.