Polish football star among thousands cheated by con-artist
PR dla Zagranicy
Victoria Bieniek
13.07.2017 15:38
Polish football star Robert Lewandowski is among thousands of victims of a serial con-artist who raised half a million zloty by claiming he was helping a sick child.
Robert Lewandowski. Photo: EPA/Lukas Barth.
The man, named by the Polish authorities only as "Michał S", has been charged with cheating more than 6,500 people out of a total of PLN 500,000 (EUR 118,000).
The conman asked people to donate money for a sick child’s medical treatment, even though the youngster's parents had not requested help.
The man, who has been convicted of fraud in the past, admitted he wanted the money in order to pay off debts, eat at restaurants, and buy a bike.
He also said he could not stop because his need to commit fraud was “stronger than him”.
Captain of Poland's national football squad Robert Lewandowski and his wife Anna, as well as other sports players, actors and celebrities were among the conman's victims.
He faces 10 years in jail. (vb/pk)
Source: IAR