Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Trial begins of French-Israeli men over fake foreign minister scam
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/04/trial-begins-of-french-israeli-men-over-fake-foreign-minister-scam<snip>
A group of men accused of using Skype and a silicone mask to extract tens of millions of euros from the rich and famous by impersonating a leading French politician are to go on trial in Paris on Tuesday.
Victims of the fake Jean-Yves Le Drian – now foreign minister but then in charge of defence – included the billionaire spiritual leader the Aga Khan, who parted with €20m (£17m).
Starting in 2015, the “minister” made calls by telephone and video link wearing the mask to more than 150 targets – of whom three were successfully duped – often to seek funds for a “secret operation” with a promise of repayment by the French state.
The money was often said to be for ransom payments or anti-terror operations.
===============
Can't wait for the movie
