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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2014 News 2 Charged with attempt to defraud €250,000 in 'black money' scam Man helped elderly woman cross the road before robbing her Man threatened brother with knife after study row Government buys opera tickets for the elderly DANIEL MIZZI TWO alleged conmen were yesterday remanded in cus- tody after pleading not guilty to trying to defraud a Mal- tese man out of €250,000 in a 'black money scam'. The court heard that the ac- cused, Calice Nkwessa, 39, of South Africa, and Bertin Nfonkeu, 30, of Cameroon, had initially approached their victim by persuading him that a briefcase full of banknote- sized paper was real money which had been dyed black. Sources close to the investi- gation said that the two men initially approached their vic- tim, Clayton Falzon, and ap- plied iodine and other chemi- cals to a black "banknote". The alleged banknote then turned into a €50 note, and the ac- cused told their victim that it was genuine. Moreover, informed sources said that after "convincing their victim with their ini- tial scam," the Cameroonian and South African duo asked their victim for €250,000 in exchange for a briefcase full of banknote-sized paper dyed black, claiming that they could not export the money due to laws in their homeland. However, the victim is said to have informed the police of the scam, leading to the sub- sequent arrest of the accused. Prosecuting Inspector Ian Abdilla said that in exchange for the money, the conmen would have given their victim the briefcase full of money and chemicals to "wash the money" with the promise that after the chemicals dissolved, the banknotes would be re- vealed. The court heard that, in re- ality, however, all would be blank paper and that irrespec- tive of the chemicals added, they would not turn into money. Standing before presiding Magistrate Marseann Farru- gia, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were denied bail due to the fear of absconding. In September, two Cameroo- nians were also remanded in custody over a 'black money scam'. Law yer Anthony Cutajar was legal aid. DANIEL MIZZI A 33-year-old drug addict from Valletta has been jailed for seven months after pleading guilty to stealing the handbag of a 73-year-old woman. The incident occurred on 19 Septem- ber at around 12:30pm in Hamrun, when the accused, Stephen Nappa, helped Mary Chircop cross the street with her walking stick. Sources close to the investigation said that the accused put his belongings into the woman's handbag and on helping her cross the street, he stole his victim's handbag, making off with €80. It is understood that his victim start- ed screaming as the accused f led the scene. In 2010, the accused was jailed for 10 months after admitting threatening to burn Fr Saviour Grima alive as the priest was saying Mass. Magistrate Doreen Clarke took into account the accused's criminal record and his cooperation with the police. But she noted that the accused had relapsed and consequently jailed him for seven months. The court also ordered that the ac- cused undergoes a drug rehabilitation programme. Inspector James Grech prosecuted. A 29-year-old man from San Gwann was yesterday allowed out on bail after pleading not guilt y to grievously injur- ing his brother following an argument about their educational achievements. The quarrel between the two occurred on Sunday. Jonathan Sciberras also pleaded not guilt y to voluntarily injuring his brother, and to carelessly injuring his brother with a knife. Sources close to the investigation said that the incident occurred on Sun- day at around 5pm in Triq il-Lunzjata, San Gwann. During the argument the brothers, who are both universit y students, ar- gued who was better at schoolwork with each boasting of their "superior intellect and education." It is understood that the accused then brandished a knife at his brother, who in turn tried to block the knife by grabbing it from the blade, cutting the palm of his hand. Standing before the court, the ac- cused pleaded not guilt y to the charg- es. In submissions for bail defence law- yer Jason Azzopardi told the court that the accused has a clean criminal record and that the injuries were ac- cidental. Magistrate Marseann Farrugia granted Sciberras bail against a per- sonal guarantee of €3,000. He was also placed under curfew and ordered not to approach his father or brother until they tesitf y. Inspector Elton Taliana prosecuted. THE government has bought opera tickets for elderly people, the Parlia- mentar y Secretar y for the Elderly, Just yne Caruana, announced. "This is part of the government's ac- tive ageing strateg y," Caruana said. "Old people who apply for these free tickets will be evaluated according to certain criteria, such as whether they are Kartanzjan holders, and whether they are attending a course or are in- volved in voluntar y work." The tickets are for t wo operas and an opera concert, all three of which will be held in Gozo. "We are therefore also promoting arts and culture among our elderly and promoting elderly tourism to Gozo," Caruana said. Applications for tickets close on 30 September and the evaluation process ends on 5 October.

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