Man charged with Lm12,000 fraud

Gustav Callus, 56, living in the UK, was yesterday charged with defrauding Raymond Abdilla of Lm12,000.

Inspector Joseph Cordina testified that Callus had agreed to sell a Mercedes to Abdilla for Lm22,000, Lm10,000 of which had to be paid as Customs duty.

He said Abdilla told him he had paid Callus and they agreed to meet the following day to pay the Customs duty. But Abdilla had second thoughts overnight and Callus paid him back Lm10,000 and agreed to pay him the other Lm12,000.

Insp. Cordina said that from investigations it resulted that as the accused did not have a bank account in Malta part of the sum had been deposited in the account of his cousin Rita Dalmas and arrangements had to be made for the money to be withdrawn from his cousin`s account.

But although the accused and Abdilla had to meet or met on several occasions, Abdilla was never given the Lm12,000.

Dalmas testified that her cousin had told her he was selling his car to a Maltese person and asked her whether he could deposit some money in her account as he did not have an account in Malta.

She had agreed and Lm12,000 were deposited. The following day her cousin had called her and they went to the bank and withdrew the money. She said he had told her he needed the money to pay Customs duty.

Dr Tonio Azzopardi said a relative had sought his help as a friend of his was going to buy a car and had paid for it but the deal had been cancelled and the person in question was still owed Lm12,000.

Dr Azzopardi said he was informed that the person involved was about to leave Malta by sea and he was taking the car with him. He said he contacted the police and went to Pinto Wharf. The police arrested Callus and ordered the Mercedes to be off-loaded from the ship.

Dr Azzopardi said he spoke to Callus who had given him a business card with the name of Michael A. Callus, managing director of a hospital in the UK. He said that later that evening it transpired that the man`s name was not Michael but Gustav.

He said Callus denied having swindled Abdilla and told him he was going to sue Abdilla for about Lm250,000.

Insp. Cordina said the police, through Interpol, were also investigating the origins of the car.

Callus said he had all the receipts as proof of purchase of the car.

The case continues.

Police Inspectors Edel Mary Camilleri, Ramon Mercieca and Joseph Cordina prosecuted.

Dr George Cutajar appeared for Callus.