Heist of the century: La Scuola di Torino empties center

On the night of February 16, 2003, Belgium was shaken when the Antwerp Diamond Center in Antwerp was hit by one of history's most spectacular robberies. Valuable diamonds, gold, and jewelry, with an estimated value of over $100 million, vanished without a trace from a supposedly high-security vault deep underground.

Behind this audacious theft, quickly dubbed the 'heist of the century,' was a group of Italian specialists known as 'La Scuola di Torino' (The School of Turin), led by Leonardo Notarbartolo. Although several culprits were later caught, the success of the heist was a shocking reminder that even advanced security systems can be breached. The case left behind a central mystery that still fascinates: What happened to the majority of the stolen diamonds and money?

Meticulous plan: 18-month infiltration of diamond center

Preparations for the major theft began as early as 2000, when Leonardo Notarbartolo from Turin, Italy, arrived in Antwerp. Posing as a legitimate jewelry dealer, he methodically infiltrated the city's closed-off diamond industry.

By renting an office in the Antwerp Diamond Center itself, he gained crucial access and insight into the building's complex security systems. Over 18 months, his team, 'La Scuola di Torino,' meticulously mapped out all security measures. They even built an exact replica of the vault in Italy to practice bypassing infrared sensors, seismic alarms, and the advanced combination lock with 100 million possible codes. The group's technical genius developed cunning solutions, such as a custom-made aluminum plate to neutralize the magnetic door lock, while a hidden micro-camera captured the secret access code to the vault.

The heist: 'The King of Keys' and team empty the vault

The actual heist took place on the night between February 15th and 16th, 2003. Four team members entered via an adjacent building, overcame an infrared sensor on a balcony using a polyester shield, and proceeded into the Antwerp Diamond Center. There, they neutralized thermal sensors with hairspray and covered the surveillance cameras.

At the vault, they used the stolen code and a copy of a hidden key to open the massive door. While Notarbartolo monitored the situation from outside, the group's lock-picking specialist, known as 'The King of Keys,' went to work. He opened 109 of the 160 individual safe deposit boxes. The haul of diamonds and other valuables was so enormous that, according to later testimonies, the thieves had to leave large amounts of money and jewelry on the floor before leaving the scene around 5:30 AM with their bags filled to the brim.

Crucial mistake: DNA from bag exposes the gang

The otherwise meticulously planned operation unraveled due to a simple mistake a few days after the theft. One of the group's members, known as 'Speedy,' carelessly disposed of a bag of trash in a forest near Antwerp, Belgium. The bag contained crucial evidence, including envelopes from the Antwerp Diamond Center and a receipt, which a local hunter found and handed over to the police.

The receipt led investigators to surveillance footage of Leonardo Notarbartolo. DNA evidence from food scraps in the garbage bag matched Notarbartolo, directly linking him to the crime scene. A search of his apartment revealed hidden diamonds and phone records that identified several accomplices: Ferdinando Finotto, Elio D’Onorio, and Pietro Tavano. These men were later arrested as the culprits behind the heist. Only 'The King of Keys,' whose true identity remains a mystery, escaped.

Trial and sentencing: The unsolved diamond question

During the subsequent trial in 2005, Leonardo Notarbartolo was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while his accomplices received 5-year sentences. However, the conviction was primarily based on circumstantial evidence, as crucial proof like fingerprints or video footage from the robbery itself was missing.

Notarbartolo later claimed that the heist was actually staged for insurance fraud (a type of deception), and that the real haul was only $20 million – a claim that has never been confirmed. After a period on parole, he was arrested again in 2013 for failing to pay restitution, before being finally released in 2017. Despite arrests and convictions, the fate of the majority of the stolen diamonds and money remains an unsolved case.

Apart from a few diamonds found in a garden in Italy, the loot has never surfaced. Interpol suspects that most of the valuables have been re-cut and sold on the black market. The audacious theft forced the diamond industry in Antwerp to implement significantly improved security systems, including biometric scanning. Nevertheless, the heist at the Antwerp Diamond Center remains a legendary true crime story of cunning, audacity, and an enduring mystery – the story of the missing diamonds worth over $100 million.

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