Newsroom
A 46-year-old man has been arrested in Cyprus over a bizarre 2022 scam in which a Famagusta businessman allegedly paid €89,000 to help “clean” €1 million in white-painted banknotes.
The story began in the Famagusta district when the businessman, who was 45 at the time, was approached by a stranger claiming he could introduce him to a man called Harry, the supposed Prince of Gabon.
“Harry” was apparently interested in buying the man’s liquor business for €1 million.
There was, however, a catch. The businessman was told that the money had been painted white because of problems taking it out of Gabon. With the right chemicals, the alleged scammers said, the notes could be returned to normal.
It was an extraordinary explanation, but the seller appears to have believed it.
During a meeting on Aug. 25, 2022, he handed over €89,000, supposedly to pay for the chemical treatment needed to restore the €1 million.
At some point, one of the men said he had to travel to Larnaca to collect more chemicals.
That was the last the businessman saw of them.
The “prince,” his associate, and the promised fortune disappeared, leaving the Famagusta seller €89,000 poorer and without a buyer for his business.
Cyprus police arrested the 46-year-old Wednesday on suspicion of theft by deception and impersonation. A second person remains wanted, while the Famagusta Criminal Investigation Department continues its inquiries.
The case may sound almost too ridiculous to be real, but it comes with a familiar warning: when someone promises a fortune but asks you to pay first, especially for chemicals to wash painted banknotes, it is probably time to end the meeting.
