Police searching high and low for Shorty
A vertically challenged, well-groomed gentleman driving a Jaguar is being sought by the Greek police and Interpol in connection with a string of confidence scams that have netted him an estimated 17.6 million euros. Police yesterday identified the alleged fraudster, hitherto only known by the nickname «Shorty,» as Odysseas Antoniou, 48. Officers said Shorty – who is below average height and is believed to be in Athens – drives a Jaguar, tends to be nattily dressed and has died his hair white. He is also «polite and extremely persuasive.» Antoniou allegedly approaches manufacturers as a bona fide exporter, based in Greece or abroad, and buys large consignments of goods – with post-dated checks that always bounce. Police say he then sells the goods for half or a third of their market value.
