The Mastermind of the World’s Biggest Diamond Heist Speaks Out in Netflix Documentary Stolen

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A standout documentary titled “The Great Diamond Heist: Uncovered” offers an exceptional perspective on the world’s largest diamond theft. Unlike other true-crime productions, this documentary sets itself apart by featuring in-depth interviews with the criminal mastermind, providing a unique insight into the planning and execution of the heist.

Leonardo Notarbartolo, a robber with an office in the building he allegedly stole from, gives his first on-camera interview about the $100 million diamond heist in Antwerp, Belgium, over the weekend of Feb. 15, 2003. While his memory might be selective, the documentary ‘Stolen’ includes law enforcement officials to verify his statements.

The August 8 Netflix documentary is inspired by the 2010 book “Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History.” In this documentary, Scott Selby, one of the book’s authors, discusses the sensational diamond heist with TIME magazine, sharing insights on how it was executed and his thoughts on Notarbartolo’s version of events.

How the thieves pulled off a massive diamond robbery

For decades, Antwerp has held the title of global diamond hub, with approximately 85% of the world’s diamonds being handled within its boundaries. In a recent crime, robbers focused on a facility known as the Antwerp Diamond Center, home to numerous diamond trading firms.

On weekdays, the center was under tight surveillance, but the security relaxed on weekends. It’s suspected that the burglars gained entry via the garage, where a manipulated foreign key opened a door to the building’s ground floor. The thieves are reported to have disguised motion detectors with hairspray, blinded light sensors with black duct tape, and concealed cameras behind black plastic bags. After completing their work, they made off with security footage, ensuring no one could witness their illegal activities.

Somehow, they managed to break into the explosion-resistant steel door to the vault. 

“For me, the biggest mystery is, how did they get past that combination lock?” Selby says. 

In the document, Notarbartolo asserts he concealed a camera within a fire extinguisher, allowing him to observe the combination codes. However, Selby contends that the only means to see the numbers on the lock is through a glass cover on top of the lock, functioning like a magnifying glass.

Using an ingenious tool designed to fit into the keyhole and apply force with leverage, the thieves managed to bend the deadbolts of each safe deposit box in the vault, causing them to open automatically.

Notarbartolo alleges that he prepared for the robbery by practicing at an outside replica of the vault, which is questionable given his possession of a safe-deposit box within the vault itself. Selby expresses skepticism, remarking, “It’s hard to understand why someone would need a replica of a vault they already have full access to.

As of today, the majority of diamonds are still untraced. The safety of the Antwerp Diamond Center was so highly regarded that many safe deposit box holders opted not to insure their diamonds, relying instead on the center’s extensive security measures, including numerous CCTV cameras and armed police guards present throughout the week.

Selby emphasizes the significance of keeping in mind that these are actual individuals who lost their businesses,” he said. “They were everyday people whose small businesses were devastated.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but feel an unspoken pride mirroring Notarbartolo’s. He expresses, “I’ve always aspired to be a part of something as remarkable as this,” further emphasizing, “We took great pride in creating something so impactful and powerful.

How the thieves got caught

Selby mentioned that the actual theft was executed perfectly, but unfortunately, the escape plan was poorly handled,” or “According to Selby, the crime itself went smoothly, but the exit strategy was botched.

In a forest bordering the highway between Antwerp and Brussels, some valuable leads related to a diamond heist were discovered amidst discarded waste. Remarkably, this trash was carelessly thrown onto the property of a man named August Van Camp, who often collected litter left by drivers and examined it to identify offenders, regularly informing the police about his findings. In this instance, he alerted the authorities that the waste contained items associated with diamonds, which coincided with their ongoing investigation into a diamond theft. As a result, the police promptly arrived at the scene.

Within the garbage, small emeralds were discovered. Among the finds was a supermarket receipt, which led the police to revisit the store and examine security footage. This allowed them to identify the individual who purchased the listed items – Ferdinando Finotto, an individual of interest in relation to another burglary case.

On a sheet of paper, there was Elio D’Onorio, an alarm expert, given authorization to perform security tasks for Leonardo Notarbartolo, who held a safe deposit box at the Antwerp center. The police discovered that he hailed from Turin, Italy, and contacted the head of the detective unit specializing in robberies within the city to uncover information about Notarbartolo. They soon found out that he was under surveillance. Authorities from Turin then informed their counterparts in Antwerp about a supposed criminal network based in Turin, known as the “School of Turin.

Subsequently, the building administrator of the Antwerp Diamond Center could identify him for the authorities using security camera recordings. The fact that Notarbartolo’s safety deposit box remained undisturbed was quite suspect.

Approximately a week following the burglary on February 21st, Notarbartolo was apprehended. He returned to the crime scene in an attempt to enter the building using his badge, intending to make it appear that he, unlike other tenants, had not left the building after the robbery. However, due to days of inquiries from authorities about him, the security team instantly identified him when he reappeared. The building manager alerted the police and engaged Notarbartolo in conversation at the entrance until the officers arrived, eventually leading to his arrest.

“By then, you surrender,” Notarbartolo says in the doc. “You face the situation.” 

The authorities instructed Notarbartolo to lead them to the hideout of the burglars, where they discovered a rug adorned with emeralds identical to those the police had previously found discarded.

Notarbartolo received a ten-year prison sentence, as he was determined to be the primary planner, whereas D’Onorio and Finotto both received sentences of five years in prison each.

What happened to Notarbartolo?

Notarbartolo already did his time for the crime, so he can talk openly about it. 

“There’s no longer any legal jeopardy for him,” Selby explains. “He served his time.” 

I reside in the tranquil countryside, just beyond the city limits of Turin, with my beloved spouse. Despite the constant watchful eye of law enforcement, I run a modest enterprise producing wood pellets, a popular choice for fireplace heating.

In the course of the document, it is stated that he frequently discusses a heist he was hired for by a man called Alessandro. However, authorities claim they could not locate any evidence of such a collaborator named Alessandro. According to Selby, “It seems unlikely that an external partner commissioned him for this job.

Selby emphasizes that even if you reside in a secure neighborhood, it’s still crucial to ensure the safety of personal belongings. This includes using a sturdy lock on your door and keeping your security system active.

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2025-08-08 16:06