Two arraigned over black money scam

A man who had been defrauded of €6,500 managed to stop the alleged swindlers at the airport just as they were about to leave the island, a court heard yesterday.

Al Girbi Abdulaziz hurried to the airport after Frenchman Juste Pascal, 44, and Cameroonian Bertrand Cyril Ines Bodjongo, 36, were about to board a flight to Paris after cheating him of the handsome sum in what is known as a black money scam.

In these sort of scams the victim is usually sold black notes, which when dipped in a special solution, are supposed to turn into money.

Having realised he was cheated, Mr Abdulaziz rushed to the airport and stopped them. An argument ensued and he summoned the police.

The details emerged yesterday when Police Inspector Yvonne Farrugia explained to the court the dynamics that lead to the men's arrest.

The two well-dressed men who live in Paris were charged with defrauding Mr Abdulaziz.

In submissions on bail, the accused said that if they were granted bail their wives would travel to Malta and pay for their hotel rooms.

The prosecuting officer however said that Mr Pascal was well known to the French authorities as he had taken part in a hold-up. He also pointed out that the men do not have any links with Malta and there was a real fear that they might reoffend.

Defence lawyer Richard Sladden said that by the same argument made by the prosecution no one would be granted bail because everyone might reoffend.

After taking into consideration the fact that the men have no fixed address, Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna remanded them in custody.