A retired notary from the Toulouse region was the victim of a large-scale scam after being contacted by an individual posing as a public prosecutor. The man in his seventies handed over several gold bars and coins, estimated to be worth nearly one million euros, to these bogus representatives of the justice system.
According to initial findings of the investigation, the con artist convinced the victim that his bank had been infiltrated by dishonest employees and that his savings were at risk of being stolen. The retiree then emptied his bank safe deposit box before handing over his gold to a young man who came to collect the loot at his home.
Two suspects arrested after a second attempt
A few hours after the incident, the victim finally realized he had been tricked and filed a complaint. Investigators then set up a plan after the scammers tried to contact him again to extort more money from the retiree.
Two suspects, an adult and a minor, were arrested during a subsequent meeting at the 70-year-old's home. Investigators believe, however, that they are likely only intermediaries tasked with collecting the funds.
The loot remains missing. Police are now trying to identify those who orchestrated this sophisticated scam and to understand how the perpetrators knew about the safe and the victim's considerable fortune.
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