Cooks Trying to Find Conman's Identity
TVNZ, New Zealand
______________
Avarua (Cook Islands):
Cook Islands officials have launched a major international investigation to find the identity of a mystery African scam artist.The man, who is tied up with a Nigerian magic money scam, was thrown into a Rarotonga jail after he tried to fleece money from locals.
But now he's out the Cook Islands can't get rid of him.The conman who peddled his scam across the Pacific is riding his luck on the streets of Rarotonga and is there to stay until someone finds out who he is - even Interpol hasn't a clue.
The Cook Islands jailed him for a year, but is now stuck with the mystery man with the stolen South African passport. The passport reveals how the fraudster known as Albert Tshabalala visited Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa, conning locals out of their money.
He convinced his victims they could make a small fortune by buying his special chemical to clean a large pile of money. One hundred dollar bills that banks supposedly painted black for disposal. But Tshabalala's luck ran out in the Cooks when he tried to rip off the recently retired commissioner of police.
The scam artist was jailed for a year but after being freed nearly three years ago, Cook Islands officials can't get rid of him.
Jan 23, 2006
TVNZ, New Zealand
______________
Avarua (Cook Islands):
Cook Islands officials have launched a major international investigation to find the identity of a mystery African scam artist.The man, who is tied up with a Nigerian magic money scam, was thrown into a Rarotonga jail after he tried to fleece money from locals.
But now he's out the Cook Islands can't get rid of him.The conman who peddled his scam across the Pacific is riding his luck on the streets of Rarotonga and is there to stay until someone finds out who he is - even Interpol hasn't a clue.
The Cook Islands jailed him for a year, but is now stuck with the mystery man with the stolen South African passport. The passport reveals how the fraudster known as Albert Tshabalala visited Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa, conning locals out of their money.
He convinced his victims they could make a small fortune by buying his special chemical to clean a large pile of money. One hundred dollar bills that banks supposedly painted black for disposal. But Tshabalala's luck ran out in the Cooks when he tried to rip off the recently retired commissioner of police.
The scam artist was jailed for a year but after being freed nearly three years ago, Cook Islands officials can't get rid of him.
Jan 23, 2006
