Famagusta man swindled out of €89,000

A man in the Famagusta district has been tricked out of €89,000 by unknown people, police reported on Friday.

According to a complaint made on Thursday by the 45-year-old, about a month ago he was approached by an unknown person who told him he would put him in contact with the Prince of Gabon, named Harry, who was supposedly interested in buying his cellar for the sum of €1 million.

He said that in one meeting with the so-called prince, the 45-year-old was told that due to problems with money leaving Gabon some of the money that would be given to him would be coloured white, but with the right chemical treatment this would be overcome.

According to the complaint, in a meeting on August 25, the 45-year-old initially handed over €89,000. At one point, he said, a second suspect told him he would bring the chemicals to Larnaca to correct the colour of the notes.

At that point the two suspects disappeared.