Wembley City trader accused of £73m scam
Luis Nobre is on trial (Pic credit: Central News) - Credit: central news
A City trader from Wembley posed as a multi-millionaire with links to the Vatican and the Spanish nobility in an elaborate £73 million scam, a court heard
Luis Nobre, 49, of Tristan Court in King George Crescent, was one of a gang of fraudsters led by Marek Rejniak who posed as international financiers to dupe Dutch shipping company Allseas Group Ltd into handing over the ‘enormous sum’ in 2011, it is claimed.
Nobre was introduced to company bosses as an ‘A1’ trader with strong links to the US Federal Banking system.
He promised to invest the cash but just spent it on himself, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Solicitor Buddika Kadurugamuaw, 46, allegedly helped launder £111,400 of criminal cash and appears in the dock alongside Nobre.
Opening the case, prosecutor David Durose said: “As a result of the actions of the fraudsters Allseas lost control of the entire sum of 100 million euros although they did not realise they had been defrauded for some time as they were led to believe the money was still in the process of being invested on their behalf.”
Jurors were told cash was then laundered through accounts in Switzerland, Singapore and Cyprus with the aid of co-accused Kadurugamuwa and a man called Nadeem Khan, 54, who died before the trial.
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Nobre is the director of Larn Ltd and ERBON Wealth Management Ltd that are registered to exclusive addresses in Harley Street and Marylebone.
He denies one count of acquiring criminal property, five counts of transferring criminal property and three counts of possession of articles for use in fraud.
Kadurugamuwa, from Hendon, denies one count of being concerned in a money laundering arrangement, and one count of transferring criminal property.
The trial continues.
