Middleman used fake bills to cheat associate
A 41-year-old man has been arrested in Thessaloniki after allegedly swindling an electronic goods wholesaler by promising him a lucrative public sector contract but only giving him forged banknotes in return. Police said that last February the suspect approached the 37-year-old trader, with whom he had a longstanding working relationship, and told him that he could act as a middleman in a deal to supply the state with electrical items. The alleged victim agreed to the arrangement and supplied the 41-year-old with five electrical goods as well as paying him an advance of 147,250 euros for sales commissions. Last August, the unnamed suspect gave the 37-year-old 122,900 euros, saying it was payment for the five items that he had sold. The wholesaler suspected the cash was forged and contacted police. Officers found forged banknotes and printing equipment at the suspect’s apartment.
