Gent –
Influencer Sarah Puttemans (24) is considering filing a complaint against the young people who misused her photos to scam men. Her lawyer Sven Mary confirms this. “This woman is at the beginning of a promising career, so this is very damaging for her.”
The trial against a teenage gang that entrapped hundreds of men started in the Ghent court on Thursday. They earned tens of thousands of euros by falsely presenting themselves as escorts, including by using photos of Sarah Puttemans (24), girlfriend of Viktor Verhulst.
READ ALSO. Group of girls pose online as escorts and earn tens of thousands of euros with fake profiles
According to lawyer Sven Mary, the well-known influencer had to learn the news through the media. “The news hit her hard,” says Mary, who was approached by Puttemans for legal advice. “Her photos have been misused and that makes her feel uncomfortable.”
Thirteen suspects are being prosecuted by the East Flemish public prosecutor’s office for fraud, theft within a criminal association. In addition to the girls who used false profiles to extort money from men, ‘money mules’ are also being prosecuted who allowed their bank account to be used.
Successful career
Puttemans himself is also considering legal action. “She is in the early stages of a successful career,” says Mary. “If you look up her name, she is linked to escort services. This must also be very unpleasant for her boyfriend Viktor.”
The case will be argued in the Ghent court on May 23. One of the victims in the file who lost more than 1,000 euros told his story in the newspaper on Thursday. “I may have known it was too good to be true, but somewhere you think, ‘You never know’.”
READ ALSO. Victim of teenage gang who posed as escorts online tells his story: “I was flattered by the attention”
The lawyer will examine what criminal qualifications can be placed on these facts and what steps will follow. “Maybe civilly or via a direct summons, but she is certainly not in a position to pay compensation. She would give that money away.”