EPPO Steamboat Probe Exposes €11.3M Antwerp Fraud

In the investigation codenamed “Steamboat”, concerning suspected customs fraud, corruption, and document forgery in the Port of Antwerp, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Brussels conducted several searches, arrested several individuals, and seized several bank accounts and cash. The actions taken are the result of nearly two years of investigation, which began in 2024 following a complaint from the Belgian General Administration of Customs and Excise.

The Results of the Investigation “Steamboat”

On January 20, 2026, under the supervision of an Antwerp investigating judge, authorities carried out seven searches, arrested three individuals, in addition to seizing several bank accounts and cash. The operation involved 48 officers from Belgium’s General Administration of Customs and Excise, and multiple units from the Belgian Federal Police. 

Among the police units, the EPPO emphasizes the involvement of the Central Directorate for the Fight against Serious and Organised Economic and Financial Crime (CDBC), the Federal Computer Crime Unit (FCCU), and the Canine Support Unit. Notably, the investigation and operation were conducted with the assistance of the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service. The Dutch service's participation underscores the necessity and significance of cross-border cooperation within the EU’s single market to combat fraud and evasion.

The three individuals arrested are a customs official and two company managers who allegedly collaborated on a fraud scheme at the Port of Antwerp, resulting in an estimated loss of over EUR 11.3 million in import duties. Given that the investigation is in the pre-trial phase, the EPPO did not make any details about the three arrested individuals or the companies involved publicly available. 

Also, there is no information on formal charges, potential indictments, or trial dates, and no court has yet ruled on the substance of the allegations. Therefore, EPPO is expected to release additional data on the investigation's progress in the coming months.

Conclusion

The EPPO has confirmed that the Antwerp investigation is ongoing, with the January 2026 searches and arrests forming part of a broader evidential process. The next steps in the investigation depend on multiple factors, including what prosecutors, with support from Belgian and, where relevant, Dutch authorities, find during the review of seized financial assets, documents, and electronic materials. Nonetheless, the case is closely watched by EU financial crime experts, given the Port of Antwerp’s importance to international trade.

Source: European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO)