Jewels lost in Spain odd scam recovered
Source: Agencies |
June 30, 2011, Thursday
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THE scam, police say, involved a fake sheik, a small man hidden inside a desk, and US$14 million in jewelry including a tiara that apparently belonged to Eva Peron of Argentina.
Spanish authorities said yesterday they have recovered US$9 million in jewels stolen in the bizarre crime in the eastern city of Valencia.
As the "sheik" handed over stacks of money to a jeweler by placing them in desk drawers at a business center, the small man hidden inside switched them with stacks in which only the first and last notes were real, police said.
Both parties went back to the jewelry shop where the gems were stored in order to complete the transaction. But when the jeweler tried to inspect the money again, the bogus sheik and another assistant accompanying him roughed her up, threatened to kill her, and fled.
Italian authorities last week announced the discovery of jewels worth US$9 million in a hotel strong box in Milan.
Yesterday's police statement said the jewels were back with Spanish authorities.
Seven people from the former Yugoslavia have been arrested in the case - in Switzerland, France and Italy, and extradited to Spain - after a complex probe involving Interpol.
The police statement said the gang won over the confidence of the Valencia jeweler three years before the theft by buying jewels from her.
Spanish authorities said yesterday they have recovered US$9 million in jewels stolen in the bizarre crime in the eastern city of Valencia.
As the "sheik" handed over stacks of money to a jeweler by placing them in desk drawers at a business center, the small man hidden inside switched them with stacks in which only the first and last notes were real, police said.
Both parties went back to the jewelry shop where the gems were stored in order to complete the transaction. But when the jeweler tried to inspect the money again, the bogus sheik and another assistant accompanying him roughed her up, threatened to kill her, and fled.
Italian authorities last week announced the discovery of jewels worth US$9 million in a hotel strong box in Milan.
Yesterday's police statement said the jewels were back with Spanish authorities.
Seven people from the former Yugoslavia have been arrested in the case - in Switzerland, France and Italy, and extradited to Spain - after a complex probe involving Interpol.
The police statement said the gang won over the confidence of the Valencia jeweler three years before the theft by buying jewels from her.
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