Is it a crime to buy a phone that someone I know is selling very cheaply?
In short
Yes, it can be. Knowingly buying stolen goods is a level 3 crime. By law, being aware that the goods might be stolen also counts as 'knowingly'; that is why a suspiciously low price is risky.
Video transcript
An acquaintance is selling a new phone far below the market price. It depends: Knowingly buying stolen goods is a level 3 crime. Being aware it could be stolen also counts as 'knowingly'. The right way: Ask for an invoice or proof of purchase. Stay away from very cheap goods without an invoice. Outcome (Level 3 crime): Prison: 3 – 5 years; The goods: Seized, no refund; Also: Possible criminal record.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Buying goods you know are stolen is a crime (handling stolen goods, art. 501, level 3). If the price is very low, the judge can see this as a sign that you knew.
- A phone, bicycle or car part sold without an invoice, without a box and far below the market price is a warning sign.
- Ask the seller for an invoice or a proof of purchase.
- Stolen goods are taken away; you often cannot get back the money you paid.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- At level 3 the main penalty is prison. The judge can also add a fine of 200 € – 10.000 €; with surcharge multipliers, the amount you pay can be higher. If the judge accepts mitigating circumstances, they can give a lighter penalty (level 2 or 1, for example community service). The victim can also claim compensation.
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek Iejustice.just.fgov.be
What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 3: 3 – 5 years in prison. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- The goods are taken away; you often cannot get back the money you paid
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 67
- It can appear on your criminal record extract (uittreksel uit het strafregister / extrait de casier judiciaire). This can cause problems when you apply for jobs.
Legal basis:Sv. art. 590, 595
- For serious or repeated crimes, your residence permit can be taken away or not renewed. Your citizenship application can be blocked.
Legal basis:Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 23 §2 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3
What do these terms mean?
- Criminal record
- The state register of convictions handed down by a court. The extract asked for a job, residence or nationality application comes from it. Municipal GAS fines are not entered in it.
Why does this rule exist?
Buyers keep theft going too. Without demand for stolen goods, there is less theft; this rule protects owners and honest sellers.
Where can you go?
- Free first-line legal advice and pro deo lawyerA free or low-cost lawyer if your income is low
- Justice HouseInformation and support for victims, accused people and convicted people (Justitiehuis / Maison de justice)
- Emergency112 · Police 101
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 11 / 11 statements in an official source
- Checked: 22.10.2026
- Last checked
- 22.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 11 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Çalıntı mal satın almak seviye 3 suçtur
Justel, Wet 29.02.2024 boek II Strafwetboek (geconsolideerd, bijgewerkt tot 02-04-2026), art. 501 - Found in an official source
Çalıntı olduğunu bildiğiniz malı almak yataklıktır (md. 501, seviye 3)
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II - Found in an official source
Fiyat çok düşükse hâkim bunu bildiğinizin işareti sayabilir
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I - Corrected according to the source
Seviye 3: ana ceza hapis; hâkim 200–10.000 € ek para cezası verebilir (Ceza K. Kitap I md. 52 §1, 6°); hafifletici sebeple seviye 2 veya 1
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I - Found in an official source
Seviye 3: 3 – 5 yıl hapis
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36 - Found in an official source
Adli sicil, oturum izni/vatandaşlık sonuçları (ortak metin)
FOD Justitie – Uittreksel uit het strafregister - Found in an official source
Çalıntı mal, hâkim kararıyla gerçek sahibine geri verilir
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 67 - Found in an official source
Mahkûmiyet Strafregister'e kaydedilir; kişi bir uittreksel alabilir ve bu belge iş başvurusunda istenebilir
Sv. art. 590, 595 - Found in an official source
Kamu düzeni nedeniyle oturum sona erdirilebilir; suçun ağırlığı dikkate alınır; vatandaşlıkta savcı 'kişiye özgü ciddi olgular' nedeniyle olumsuz görüş verebilir
Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 23 §2 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3 - Found in an official source
Abartı taraması (2026-10-22): Başlıktaki soru (ucuz telefonu almak suç mu?) için özet 'Evet, olabilir' diyor. Suç, malın çalıntı olduğunu bilmeye veya bunun farkında olmaya bağlı (md. 501 'opzettelijk'). Status bu şartı yansıtmıyor.
Kaynak alıntısıyla karşılaştırma (abartı taraması) - Found in an official source
Abartı taraması (2026-10-22): Tazminat kendiliğinden değil, mağdur isterse
Kaynak alıntısıyla karşılaştırma (abartı taraması)
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?