A man who allegedly obtained thousands of hundreds of dollars under the ruse that he would arrange to charter an airplane is under arrest as police investigate a case of fraud, extortion, money laundering, and illegal possession of a firearm.
Police said on Wednesday that the 49-year-old suspect, a resident of Larnaca, was arrested by Famagusta district police on Tuesday following a complaint submitted by a 39-year-old man.
According to the complaint, the suspect had introduced himself as a businessman involved in the sale of aircraft and special operations to repatriate foreigners from war zones.
Famagusta district police spokesman Steve Theodoulou said the suspect persuaded the alleged victim that he could arrange to charter an airplane to take his associates from Belarus to Georgia and asked for $168,220.
The money was paid by bank transfer, after which the suspect asked for an additional $398,000.
The complainant at first agreed, and set conditions, however the suspect disagreed and started threatening him, demanding the additional payment and even visiting him with a gun. Frightened, the complainant paid the additional sum.
The suspect was arrested on Tuesday and his home was searched. He is expected to appear before Famagusta district court later on Wednesday for a remand hearing.
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