Gold Treasure Claims: 'It Was Mine in a Past Life' | Belgium

Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, Belgium — A €9 million gold hoard discovered by construction workers in a cellar wall has triggered an international gold rush of ownership claims, including one man who insists the treasure belonged to him in a past life. A week after the find in the Flemish village, people from across the globe are emailing local police claiming to be the rightful owner of the gold coins, bars and nugget.

What was found in the Belgian cellar?

Construction workers renovating a building on Van Langenhovestraat in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde discovered the gold while digging trenches for a new sewage system. The hoard included gold coins, nuggets and numbered bullion bars bricked into a section of the building's cellar. An 18-year-old student worker, Kobe, initially thought the coins were €1 pieces until a gold nugget revealed the true value, according to VRT News. Site manager Mario, with 33 years in construction, called it a first in his career.

The discovery has drawn comparisons with other European treasure hoards found in recent years, but the volume and value set this find apart. Workers briefly considered keeping the gold but decided it would be theft and impossible to conceal, local reports said.

Who is claiming the gold?

Belgian police chief Patrick Feys described a flood of emails from hopeful claimants worldwide. One of the most striking messages invokes reincarnation.

Reincarnation, a Latvian grandfather and more

"Laat me gerust weten welke documenten u nodig heeft," wrote one claimant, asking whether reincarnation could support a legal claim. The same person offered a sworn statement: "Ik bevestig dat ik, naar het beste vermogen van de herinneringen uit mijn vorige leven, het goud heb verstopt en het vervolgens ongeveer zestig jaar lang volledig ben vergeten."

Another emailer claimed the gold belonged to a grandfather from Latvia, who had told family he was "as rich as the sea is deep" and that his money was hidden in a wall in Belgium where he once worked. A grandson now says the family knows the grandfather always told the truth.

Despite the creativity, police will not answer these emails. Feys told Het Nieuwsblad that investigators are only examining whether there is a criminal link to the gold.

What happens next for the gold?

Anyone who believes they have a claim should contact a notary or a lawyer, Feys said. "Als het van jouw opa of familie is, dan is het aan de burgerlijke rechtbank om te beslissen of je al dan niet eigenaar bent," he told VRT. The gold remains securely held by police while East Flanders prosecutors investigate its origins.

Legal experts note that Belgium's treasure ownership laws date back decades and distinguish between lost property and deliberately hidden valuables. If no legitimate owner is found, the building owner or finder may eventually be able to claim a reward, though that process could take years.

Why this matters beyond a lucky find

The story became world news, covered by the BBC, Norwegian TV2, Japan's Jiji.com and The New York Times. The surge of improbable claims illustrates how a single discovery can spark legal and cultural fascination. The episode echoes wider gold ownership disputes across Europe, where hidden assets from wartime and family secrecy resurface decades later.

For now, police say the emails will not be answered. The gold remains in an evidence room, and the only certainty is that its true history may never be fully known.

FAQ: Gold treasure claims in Belgium

Where was the gold found?

The hoard was found in a cellar wall during renovation work on Van Langenhovestraat in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, East Flanders, Belgium.

How much is the gold worth?

Police estimate the treasure at approximately €9 million, including coins, nuggets and numbered bullion bars.

Can someone claim gold based on reincarnation?

No. Belgian police say they are only investigating a possible criminal link. Ownership claims must be settled in civil court through a notary or lawyer.

Who legally owns found treasure in Belgium?

If no legitimate owner is identified, the building owner or finder may eventually be able to claim a reward, but the legal process can be lengthy.

Why won't police answer the claim emails?

Police chief Patrick Feys says the matter is a civil issue, not a criminal one, unless evidence of a crime emerges.