Man says he was conned out of €16,500

A 49-year-old man was on Tuesday remanded in custody for three days on suspicion of obtaining €16,500 from a Larnaca man under false pretences.
The suspect had introduced himself as a geriatrician who owned a luxurious elderly home in London, UK.
The 54-year-old who reported the case to police said he met the man in April this year.
In June, the suspect offered to help the 54-year-old purchase a car from the UK.
He was given some €6,500 to be used as the down-payment.
Following that deal, the suspect proposed importing various other commodities, including a wind turbine for home use, photovoltaics and a television set.
The suspect received a total of €16,500 in cash, a court heard.
He assured the victim that the merchandise would arrive on the island at the end of September. He then changed the date to October.
When he realised he was being conned, the 54-year-old demanded his money back and the two set an appointment outside a bank on Monday.
The suspect went inside the branch with the victim’s wife and asked to withdraw €16,500 from his account.
The teller informed them there was no such account. Using the suspect’s identity, the teller found an account belonging to him which only had a few cents.
Police told the court that the suspect has a record and had nothing to do with medicine.
The suspect claimed he only borrowed €350 from the victim and denied stealing €16,500.
However, police have statements from third parties who were present when the victim gave the suspect money.

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