Europe
6 years ago

Conmen impersonating top personalities in Monaco to extract money

In some instances, a fake prince appeared to impersonate Albert speaking from his palace - Reuters
In some instances, a fake prince appeared to impersonate Albert speaking from his palace - Reuters

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Conmen have been impersonating famous personalities in Monaco, including Prince Albert II, to obtain money from high-profile victims, reports say.

One well-known journalist was contacted via WhatsApp by the fake prince and asked for money to help free a local journalist allegedly kidnapped by an Islamist group, Monaco-Matin reports.

The Monaco government has issued a statement confirming the stings, but without naming the prince.

Police have launched an investigation.

In one instance, a fake Prince Albert II apparently in his office at the palace made video contact with one victim, Monaco-Matin says.

In other instances, documents with official letterheads and signed by officials from the principality have been used; phone calls also seemed to come from official institutions, with the switchboard numbers appearing during the calls, the government said in a statement quoted by Ouest France newspaper.

The aim of those stings is for money transfers to be made to foreign bank accounts, notably in Asia, it added, reports BBC.

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