Amstelveen jeweler confesses to staging robbery

An Amstelveen jeweler confessed to staging a robbery at his company in November last year in order to claim insurance, a spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor confirmed to ANP. The "stolen" jewels were insured for several millions of euros.

The jeweler ran Van Gelder Diamonds for more than 10 years. He was arrested on suspicion of fraud in April and confessed last week, according to the spokesperson. The three alleged robbers in the case were also arrested.

The jeweler's 76-year-old father, who was previously in charge of the store, resumed his position. We are all shocked and deeply affected by these developments", he said in a statement on Friday. "I personally took responsibility of our family business again and took the necessary steps to ensure continuity."

On behalf of the company, the elderly man apologized to anyone wronged by his son's actions.