A French businessman has told how he was conned into giving a well-known Donegal criminal €160 in cash after falling for a sob story in Paris.
The convicted Letterkenny fraudster, who cannot be named, has a string of convictions for various offences locally.
The man pretended to be a legitimate car dealer whose car had been broken into in Sarclay in Paris on Monday evening.
The man approached the businessman at a petrol station.
Along with his brother he claimed all his cash and credit cards had been stolen and that he was desperate to get back to his two sons in Donegal.
The men exchanged business cards and phone numbers at the Letterkenny man promised to transfer the cash by bank transfer.
His victim, 46 year old Florimond Robertet, checked out the man online after the conman used his real name on a fake business card.
When he keyed in his name online, a number of court reports on the man and a picture appeared.
“He dit not know how to come back tout Ireland without money. He had 2 sons and had to get a boat to Ireland.
“I said no. He said “please, for my kids, please, please and he was nearly crying. He gave me his ID and business card to take a picture. He conviced me to withdraw some money – €160 euros.
“He was aiming to get some more money to get a second boat but I said no. I am the silliest man around the world. Basicaly I was in a rush and did not realise what appears.
“I want only my money back. I love Ireland and have uncles in Dublin. I am so sad for me and for Ireland.”
