Bank Note Scam

TWO Africans were arrested as they allegedly conned an hotel-owner out of €5,000.

Police caught them in Alicante city while they persuaded their target to hand over the money in exchange for wads of black paper.  These, they claimed were genuine bank notes which had been dyed black and were worth €10,000.  All he need do, they told him, was to wash off the dye with chemicals – hence the scam’s name of “wash-wash.”

Police suspected that the two men, both Cameroons, were planning to swindle the hotel-owner and had followed them to the pre-arranged meeting. 

The men had with them a case containing all the tricks of the “wash-wash” trade including packets of paper cut to the size of bank notes, bottles of chemicals, syringes and rubber gloves.

The investigation continues, as police believe they could be involved in further stings.