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EXCLUSIVE
SEE PAGE
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Expats millionslose
whose by hasboss Darren Kir- It is believed moved now allegedly 300 of to Australia. at least One CWM’s Costa-del-Sol- clients have based 900 pension had their Olive expat told pots Press the mated, with deci£59,000 he sunk shocked victims CWM, to later through cover the value had lostonly realising dis- to end £39,000 he investments of their ain on up back in his pension benefits.” Britwhen meted dramatically. had plum“I have sent a statement. trustees However, nothing praise “I couldn’t close to for Tony a source [Trafalgar but have lost believe Barnett the thousandsit. I sisted: ‘There case in- Stewart MD] pounds,” and are still mentum Davies revealed of many customers victim, [Mothe are happy asking tive]. Theychef execumain anonymous. to re- pension with who “The adviser portfolio.’ their magnificent have been A ing to ing me, in trykept tell- taxn d a l u c i a specialist b a s e d money.”recoup people’s teed, it ‘This is guaranBrooks, can’t go certain a leadingAngie The Olive below a pert of them level’.” ing many obliterat- transferred Untitled-1.pdf derstands Press His money, erationon pension ex- possible had others unBrits’ life heartbroken it is vate 1 16/06/2017 schemes libUK their pri- France, savings. acrossand that of the founder legal highly through15:36 pensions and may be taken action of Pension the company, high-risk was Spain and Life, has parties put into a fight now launched againstby some investor ‘professional to help CWM, tims’ money get has been only’ assets, back. vicclaimed. it She is working side pension alongTrafalgar trustees International and sions.Momentum Pen- based out “People of headquarare terribly ters in Alicante, distressed,” executives. and its based Brooks Granada- Both the Olive Press. told and the office in Javea lost large “They the recently website amountshave When their have shut. of ings.” retirement the Olive sav- spoke to Press She added: boss Kirby ‘definitively’ these people “Some he of responsibility denied are going crash. over world,” “I have lost the my A closehe said. associate Kirby’s Find out told of Press more on formerthe Olive staff page XX 20 set’. were all ‘veryCWM up“It is still quite Ave de Gabriel for them, Roca 4, Palma working and they raw next,” he out what to are do said.
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Carles Confusion reigns SPAIN’S accused prime minister Catalan has Puigdemont leader sion’ after of causing Carles ‘confusigning of independence. a declaration Mariano clarify if Rajoy demanded he had he independence really followingdeclared day’s nail Catalan biting address Tuesparliament. to the If so, Rajoy insisted trigger he Article constitution 155 of could Spain’s take direct to allow Madrid control of to “There Catalunya. is an urgent put an end need to Catalunya to the situation is going through that - to Continues
Who’s paying us?
in CONFUSION life savings reigns over should foot through who hotels hit the bill for Mallorca by the collapse failed line Monarch. investment of airBalearic scheme €10millionhotels are facing a lapse that bill over the colrepatriationsaw the emergency EXCLUSIVE of over back to By Joe 110,000 Duggan Palma. the UK, many from Administrator HUNDREDS Olive Press KPMG ish expats of Brit‘the debt told the Monarch to retrieve are battling to hoteliers owed by as an unsecured sions after their will rank the defunct claim’ against losing pen£20 million “They will airline. up to pension in a failed the joint have to file a scheme. investment the moneyadministratorsclaim to OFF TO for all Spanish-based they are OZ: a spokesman. owed,” said and (above) Boss Kirby cial advisory “It has finanteam at tinental firm Con- March charity (yet) hownot been determined agement Wealth Manbash available much money to creditors.” will be last (CWM) folded Many month
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Petrol bombs an Olive Pressand bullets, Director from Barcelonadispatch manage of disgrace
IVE LUS EXC
Your PAPER THIN: Hathaway (inset) stole our papers in car above over CWM fraud article (right) reporters, here to A KEY associate of a crooked plice. as you he printed EXCLUSIVE lp on documents wealth management compa- Hathaway, who had been from the By Jon Clarke thecourt,” Costa he added. ny has been accused of steal- grilled over his involvement “My wife was Blan ca approached ing hundreds of copies of the in the Continental Wealth While many victims lost ev- at work. I was just proOlive Press newspaper, court Management (CWM) scan- erything and, at least one tecting my name along Contact them with documents have confirmed. dal, took umbrage to his committed suicide, the CWM with everything stories or news any on else,” he 951 273 575 or email Police have grilled the name appearing in an article bosses lived lives of luxury added.press news desk @the olive .es wealthy moneyman over the in our March 5 edition. with sports cars, exotic for- As for the (Personal CWM situation he contacts page 6) theft of up to 20 bundles of He insisted he had taken the eign holidays and designer insisted heon‘didn’t go out to the paper in the Javea area. papers as he ‘was angry’ with clothes. O LIV E scam anybody’ PRESS and added he It comes after witnesses spot- the story headed ‘In Denial’, Director Jody launched a had lost ‘a lot of money’ as ted Neil Hathaway jumping about how he and his col- fashion label and twice flew well, but declined to say how out of a black SUV and lift- leagues scammed hundreds to New York fashion week, much. ing entire bundles from our of investors out of an estimat- according to official court Denia court is set to continstands along with an accom- ed €35 million. documents. ue its probe into how 750 The company, owned by Jody When the Olive Press tracked victims lost millions, with Smart and Darren Kirby, is Hathaway down to his at least 17 losing their entire accused of fraud and falsify- multi-million euro mansion pension pots. ing commercial documents. in the hills above Javea he These include former BlackThe Olive Press is now taking couldn’t deny the theft, with pool bus driver Les Hutchlegal action against the Brithis SUV parked in the drive. See page 9 ings, 67, who lost nearly ish financial advisor, who was “But it was a lot less papers his entire €117,000 private a shareholder of CWM, which than the police claimed,” he pension when it ended up in was based at Javea’s upmar- insisted. high-risk portfolios without ket Marriott Hotel. “I was angry, just very angry, his knowledge. Another is widow Karen O’Hagan, who lost €72,000 of her RBS pension. She was told by CWM staff that transferring the money E n d s 3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 . was the only way to protect it COSTA BLANCA
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DEFENDANTS in a ‘landmark’ case again ish-run financial st a Britdenied all know firm have scam that lost ledge of a €35 million of its clients pensi on investment. Instead they blamed the boss of Continenta l Wealth Management (CWM ) Darren Kirby (abov e) for destroying the hopes and dreams of 750 expats around Spain. In a tense heari ng at Denia Court three forme ees denied they r employput their client knowingly ‘high risk’ invess funds into tmen ts. The trio, Anth Neil Hathawayony Downs, Stogsdill, are and Dean fraud, disloyal accused of administration and falsifying comm ercial documents.
The
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GOTCHA: Financier banged to rights stealing Olive Press newspaper to cover up his links to fraud trial
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2019 See Property SPAIN’S PP party cious plans Magazine has set for back inside out control a power grab audafrom to take and theValencia a u t o n other regions.o m o u s Leader Casado Pablo announced commitment his strengthen to the central government’s to the national role in the He insisted elections run up that such in a fortnight. prevent in taxes. corruption and a move would lead to It comes a drop off the as the party threat Party, whose from attempts to EXCLUSIVE By Joshua autonomous leader an insurgent see has described Vox Parfitt cer of Spain’. parliaments as the the THE Under the Voted REuse ‘canbeleaguered REduce plan, the se resources wealth expat REcycle PP wants paper managementboss of in Spain delegations for regional allegedly to increaa failed Govt in exile and government transfer million lost expats company which of power paralyse any court. has ignored more than €20 Voted to the regions.further a summons expat Darren paper in Spain to REuse Kirby, Continental REduce Supremacy of REcycle Casado Confusion (CWM), Wealth Alicante-based reigns insisted Spain being court on failed to turn Management the move up at Denia administered tively’. would AccordingMarch 26. see was ‘more effecThe election due to Olive Press party would hopeful sources business to turn up, alongside Who’s he partners, carry out stated that view of The paying former us? a sweeping his who case involves who did turn operate how the regional a trio of up. looking re- moneylost substantial ty.’ investors, at ‘efficiencyauthorities amounts Spain’s 2017. when the company and equiShould quasi-federal of ‘autonomous have Kirby folded of legged it Three Lions in the constitution states’political system pub llowingallegedly fled ter Pedro ning to the collapse,to Australia in 1978. was added to HOW foSanchez, WE TOLD Prime Ministhe constitution, “DarrenAlicante last finally returThree Lion whose pub s IT: Our plan, insisting strongly party drafted which he has been year. England.” 2017 reports sent a didn’t opposed ‘tooth and the will now The the ways,” have sign for, so Burofax how Olive Press nail’ thePSOE would defend nal self-government. exclusively principal CWM a sourceto pursue himthe court abruptly “A judge losing of regioformer in other revealed said. it’s under is dealing vings inhundreds of folded in 2017, “It was member of staff. with this a prestigious legal review,” “We understand The firm,the process. expats’ life day and sa- said, they just he added. Marriott which was shut place but he is currently asking based out to ten’ Hotel, in Denia, not to be the door,” one Victims of telesales in ttered she named. had the asked had raised fears about to sign around staff and clients‘eight tions blank dealing Europe, being revealedsca- vestedand their pensions instruca large in high-risk commissions.assets being inNO SHOW: which paid One pensioner Darren ta Blanca res. “It based Kirby is a blank on the told the lost €210,000 wherever, CosOlive Press whenever.cheque to €470,000 “It is invest he investing very worrying despiteafter transferring low to as they clients’ “I wasmedium risk stating he had risky attitude. asked, a funds investments money in were blank form. ‘Can just becauseas well as highly We will you sign ls.’ I did gher commissions.” fill in the this they paiddubious that trusting in my best He added detaithe hiinterests,” they would “They investors that losses act he said. sustained for me should have been verable should however, and they by looking their own led to as the investments be recowere out what they nests. To just feathering linked perform, or that faiwent bust, Lawyer were doing.”me they knew See pages When to life insurance were 26-29 Lawbird Antonio Flores, hold of the Olive Presspolicies. of victims,is representing whose firm denied Kirby in Octoberfinally all responsibility. got ment sheetssaid signing a number my world,” 2017, blank investwas “This he said. “I have he Tel. (+34) negates ‘very worrying’. lost financial Are you 96 649 18 the info@hispaniahomes.es advisory very essence 29 member? a victim services,”said of www.hispaniahomes.co.uk or former the case? Do you know FloContact more staff newsdesk@theolivepress.es the Olive about HOW TO Press at SELL YOUR
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me they doing.” knew what they were He added: “I believe the investments some of without rying’. were that is themy knowledge. I made “This negates case because think recall signing of the service the very essence I do investments sheets for all not offer,” said they are meant the Flores. “It to An email, I had.” cheque is a blank Press, showsseen by the whenever.to invest wherever, has gone down by ent to sign CWM asking Olive “If standard need compensation half and a cliand return dealing instruction. I very worrying. practice, this back on track. a blank to get it is Another “Signing “But some blank documents is tryingBritish expat, 55, have lost people who would be €200,000, to recover around thing and everyas irregular seen ers ‘have said some pensionhave enoughdon’t lost everything’. in a court of “My paper to live on. work that One reproblem law. The has been tired victim I sent altered, my these firms with was changed has €50,000 only risk level is that PENSION they from ‘medium’ ‘high’ and left from €480,000.” all into OUTRAGE vestingwere tions have my dealing instrucAndalucia-based in highly risky investments repeatedly been photocopied lawyer without ing assets for buying and Flores, Antonio the clisellI didn’t ents knowing.” whose he said. authorise,” firm Lawbird He claimed “I still have are that representsome losses sustained and I am ing some still youngmoney left by CWM get compensation, enough to victims, investors would hopefully but my fund vestmentsaid signing blank sheets was be inas the investments recoverable ‘very worto perform, that failed or went bust, linked to were Pension life insurance policies. trustees and Trafalgar Momentum ing to recoupare now attemptCMW clients’ losses. The Olive unable to Press has so far registered discover if CWMbeen was ment adviceto provide investcial financial with Spain’s offiregulator CNMV. Opinion Page 6
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CATALUNYA’S leader has beleaguered vowed to from abroad. fight on It came after Carles mont handed Puigdehimself Belgian in to police when pean arrest warrant a Eurosued. was isHe and four other politicians are accused on charges bellion, of republic sedition, misuse funds, of and breach disobedience of trust. A judge up to twoin Belgium now they will weeks to decidehas to Spain. extradite the groupif
BRITISH expats who to €20 million Fight lost sion advisory in a failed up Given the firm believe pensignatures whole extradition process tocopied may have been their days, it can take up to ments. onto investment phodocuto run means he may 60 Around have campaignhis entire election in Spain, 300 Brits, most living are battling European for the Catalan their funds to retrieve Democratic after Alicante-based from Belgium. firm Continental Party His party agement Wealth wants him for continued tember, (CWM) folded Manto the regional leadershipfight Olive as first reportedin Septhe December parliament of Boss Press a month ago. in the Puigdemont 21 elections. in tralia Darren Kirby left for Ausfollowing denied fled to Brussels the company’s the closure he had tice but to main Javea of fices. that he avoid jusofthe Spanish left because Victims, who are preparing government spread across Spain, as was well as in sion and a ‘wave of oppreslorca, Portugal, Ibiza, Malseparatists. violence’ against Turkey, France fear illegal and “I’m absolutely after being asked to practices that the convinced dealing instructions. sign blank a harsh state was preparing Their pension for whichwave of repression pots were invested then in high-risk been held we would have which promised responsible,” all said yesterday. commissions. to pay outassets he large “The Spanish One 69-year-old state is mitting told the a brutal compensioner if we don’t repression… €210,000 Olive Press he together, battle repression lost €470,000 after transferring may win the Spanish had a ‘low despite stating state this to medium he In a show fight.” to risk’ attitude aversion BOSS: of support deposed “I was asked, to investment. Kirby now president, to the Australia 200 Catalan in blank form. ‘Can you sign around this We will dence mayors pro-independetails.’ I Untitled-1.pdf he said. fill in Brussels travelled would act did that trusting 1the “They should to they16/06/2017 in my best a rally. on Tuesday to have been interests,” out for me stage 15:36 looking feathering but they were just their own nests. To
A PALMA thief months in jail foris facing 18 leg of ham. stealing a Prosecutors the lengthy are requesting term for the eight taking co Jotas' kilogram leg of 'Cin¡ jamon in the capital. from a shop The Iberico €685, and ham is valued has yet to at ered. be recov-
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PENSION OUTRAGE
SPAIN’S accused prime Catalan minister Puigdemont has leader sion’ after of causing Carles signing of independence. ‘confua declaration Mariano Rajoy clarify if he had demanded independence really he day’s nail followingdeclared biting Catalan address TuesIf so, parliament. to the trigger Rajoy insisted Article constitution 155 he could take direct to allow of Spain’s Madrid control “There of Catalunya.to put an is an urgent end to Catalunya need the to is going situation that through Continues - to
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Expats millionslose
CONFUSION in life savings should reigns hotels foot the bill over who through hit by for Mallorca line Monarch. the collapse failed investment Balearic of air€10millionhotels scheme are lapse bill over facing that saw repatriation the col-a the emergency back EXCLUSIVE of Palma.to the UK,over 110,000 By Joe many Duggan Administrator from Olive HUNDREDS KPMG Press Monarch ‘the debt told the ish expats of Britto hoteliers owed as an to retrieve are battling by unsecured will rank the defunct sions claim’ after their pen“They airline. against £20 million losing will have the joint pension up to to file in a failed a claim the moneyadministrators to scheme. investment they are a spokesman. for owed,” all Spanish-based OFF “It has said cial TO OZ: advisory (yet) hownot been and (above) Boss finantinental determined Kirby available much money firm March team agement Wealth Conto creditors.” will charity at be last (CWM) Manbash
whose by hasboss Darren now moved Kir- It is allegedly to Australia. One 300 believed at least based Costa-del-Solclientsof CWM’s Olive expat pension have had 900 £59,000Press told the mated, their pots he sunk shocked CWM, with decithrough cover only realising victims had to later the value his lost £39,000 dis- to he investments of their ain end up sent apension when meted back had plumstatement. trustees However, on dramatically. “I couldn’t “I havebenefits.”in Brithave close believe praise nothing a source lost thousands pounds,” for Tony it. I sisted: to the [Trafalgar but victim, Barnett revealed of many ‘There case in- Stewart MD] are still mentum customers main asking the are happy Davies and “The anonymous.to re- pension [Mowith who tive]. Theychef adviser ing me, portfolio.’ A their magnificent haveexecu‘This kept tell- taxn d a l u c teed, Many ing to ia-b been it can’t is guaranspecialist certain of them transferred a s e d money.” Brooks, recoup in trygo below level’.” people’s had His money, a pert on a leadingAngie The Olive UK their pri- others through15:36 eration pension ex- derstands pensions France,acrossand that Press the company, schemes lib- possible of the founder unit high-risk was Spain and and may legalis highly of put into aLife, has be taken investor ‘professional action fight now Pension parties has been only’ tims’ to helplaunched againstby some assets, money get claimed. CWM, it She is working back. vicside pension alongTrafalgar trustees and International sions.Momentum “People Pen- based distressed,” ters in out of headquarare terribly executives. Alicante, based Olive Brooks Granada- Both and its told the office lost Press. “They the and the in Javea their large amountshave recently website ings.” retirement shut. have of When She sav- spoke the Olive to boss these added: “Some ‘definitively’ Press people of responsibility Kirby he are going denied crash. world,” “I have over the A closehe said. lost my Kirby’s on page associate told Press XX 20 of formerthe Olive staff set’. were all CWM Ave de Gabriel ‘very “It is upRoca 4, Palma still for them, quite working and they raw next,” out what are he said. to do
folded ing month Untitled-1.pdf obliteratBrits’many heartbroken life savings. 1
vate 16/06/2017
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NOTORIOUS businesswom: Disgraced to €1million of receiving an Jody accused from an unlicensed up EXCLUSIVE Smart Blanca financial in financial GUIDE By Joshua Costa scandal advisory company. Companies three British Parfitt in Jody Smart’s given the money huge sums inal charges claimants are seeking ‘without falling by defunct name were Worse, Wealth Management accounting for aggravated fraud,crim- after CWM’s Continental into it comes years’ before fake (CWM) in September ens of victims as it emerges losses’. organisation.and belonging to a 2017 collapse criminal left him with just €22,000 left destitute that doz- The left hundreds its high-profile the two less by investments complaints the and collapse from initial €20million of investors an estimated of more concern bungled Smart and Denia-based firm arepenni- transactions, (approx out of pocket, her former suing pension house Davison €900,000). than ₤800,000 unpaid vealed. Kirby. partner Darren it can be reinvestments loans and A total of In the first ants over €1million that lost the failed sion just was diagnosed with €999,435 case to reach claim- turning weeks after the depresto her fashion was paid the courts, One of the victims, between them. collapse, to alcohol SL and propertylabel Jody Bell Mark ically died, abuse and before aged 59, in Davison, trag- ing type-2 diabetes, pany Mercurio holding comaccording developshot July this Conpro SL to a video tween 2015 year His just before his death. bebody, ing to bank and 2017, accordsores, had covered with lesions to the Olive statements shown a week in lain undiscovered for and In documents the mid-summer Brit Jody, Press. up to home in Sanet. heat at his Press, CWM seen by a €144,00043, was also paid “Mark died the Olive commission was paid €3,391,873 as a result telling a court salary - despite done to him,” of what had bonds and for selling of know what that she ‘did not been low claimant, Timothy Benjamin, prus-based investments insurance sole director it meant to be a by two Cy“By the end told the Olive Press. a felfinancial of company’ October was only involved firms, between and 2015 and to appear.” he didn’t want the A January in ‘marketdaylight September ing and PR’. Benjamin, 2019 statement 2017. Spain’s financial 67, In a series likewise felt after he lost of shocking from insurance ‘ashamed’ regulator larations his €250,000 decsion, reinvested given to private penbreach of bonds were revealed Court of Instruction Denia’s by CWM investments, sold in into ‘risky’ What is the law. has emerged No.3 it In his officialvia QROPS. funded a certain is that ny could ill that the compatestimony court how ‘lavish lifestyle’this money afford to pay he told the players Kirby these (€375,000he had transferred ₤325,000 and Smart, for its key in a relationship approx) from sale who to CWM were a to March together investing it on the basis the property 2017, according from 2011 staff members. firm was But court in a villa in Monte Pego. to former papers revealed went directly to the bank ₤200,000 account of Continues on Page 2 Tel. (+34) 96 UK BASED 649 info@hispaniahom18 29 www.hispaniahom es.es es.co.uk Opinion
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Olive press wins key journalism award See page 7
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for her two young children if she passed away. In declarations made in February, Hathaway, along with two other former colleagues Anthony Downs and Dean Stogsdill, claimed their former boss Kirby was responsible for the frauds. Pensions investigator Angela Brooks told the Olive Press the case would set a major ‘precedent’ across Europe. “It’s a disgrace that it’s taken a Spanish lawyer in Spain and a Spanish criminal judge to recognise the wickedness of actions taken by all parties concerned. The scale of this case has made the courts sit up and take notice.”
OLIVE PRESS
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A BRITISH stabbed, ro talised by t recorded th phones. The trio we lice in Sant peig, near their victim lapsed lung dergo emerg A statement stabbed the back with whilst record on their mob The unnamed was taking a when he sens ing followed, home as a pre The gang ca him and a str where he was robbed of hi mobile. A passerby help, calling a straight away. The man suff lapsed lung and ly went into sur CCTV quickly the identity of th two of which w known to police Matching cloth weapon used ini were found in house searches. The 16 and 17-ye rested were cha the crimes of ro violence and wou intent.
CRIME
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A GUARDIA Civil agent has been suspended for 15 months after putting a spy camera into a shower to record images of a naked woman. The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal from the Murcia-based cop, who was also given an eight-month prison sentence for breaking privacy laws. The female victim and her husband had been friends of the agent for a number of years. He had installed the camera after delivering some spicy red peppers he had picked in his garden and went to the bathroom to wash his hands.
A CARTAGENA pool bar has been robbed three times in two days by the same 22-yearold Spaniard who stole €500 and returned 24 hours later to pinch alcohol and then a €700 TV.
Last orders ORIHUELA police have closed down a bar and made two arrests after coronavirus safety rules were broken at an unnamed premises, which had ignored previous warnings.
Quick fire POLICE have arrested a 40-year-old suspected firearms trafficker from Bigastro for converting starting pistols into live weapons at his home workshop.
Close shave FIRE crews have stopped a blaze from seriously damaging the San Fulgencio section of La Marina’s pine forest after the fire started in a stolen car.
Jewel riddle A GROUP of families are demanding answers over missing valuables from bereaved elderly relatives who all died from COVID-19 at the same Valencia hospital. The four families believe that staff at the Doctor Peset Hospital may have stolen a number of watches and jewelry from loved ones. One victim Arturo Rocher, 80, may have had a Cartier watch and a gold pendant stolen. While his family were able to recover a few other personal items the valuable items were gone. Three other families have joined Mr. Rocher Escamilla in filing a claim with the hospital’s Patient Care and Information Service (SAIP).
Break inside Holiday rental scammers arrested in Alicante over €250,000 stolen from 100 victims
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and identification documents. The gang then used the information to make ATM withdrawals, request loans and make purchases to sting their victims twice. Police confirmed that a number of the victims had even arrived at their rental properties to find out that they had been hoodwinked. It comes after the Olive Press
Slayed for her meat! A PREGNANT horse, worth €20,000, has been killed and dismembered in a shocking night time attack allegedly for meat! Police in Malaga are investigating the gruesome crime after the body of thoroughbred Lola was found next to a dead foal that had been cut out of her stomach. “She had two stab wounds to the neck, all the meat from the loin was taken out and the spine cleaned, as well as one of her thighs and a raw hind quarter.” Police have backed the owners’ claims that due to
the precision of the cuts, the meat will be used in the illegal horse meat trade. Witnesses claim to have seen a man pulling the horse into a grey van. Lola was registered as a ‘purebred ‘pura raza española’ and had a potential value of up to €20,000.
Your
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- Jun 24th
2020
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By Joshua Parfitt
livepress.e
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EXCL By DilipUSIVE Kuner
A GANG of con men have been arrested over a series of fake villa rental websites. The five men, who lived in Alicante, are believed to have taken over €250,000 from at least 100 unsuspecting victims. The fraudsters reeled in victims by advertising pictures of villas they had lifted from legal sites at ‘knockoff’ prices. Holidaymakers were then pushed into paying a deposit to secure the bargain price, before giving their card details
.theo
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A BRITI victims s from €2,800 SH couple conned holiday as convict site havethrough a fake holida out of Spanis turned detect conman rentals ed y webive Howev h fraudster convic and had a prison avoids are nower, the angry ted. AND pay conma demanding holidaymake back stol return n with Valenc action after rs en fees ing order. their money ia links failedthe , despit to The couple e a court both 54, , Lucia and Peter from Londo that Alvaro n, are Myers, one install Lopez furiou after beingment out Uribe only s SCAM orate scam. found of an agreedpaid MED: guilty Brit Lucia 11, A Spanis of the elabMyer six monthh court senten suspen s had iday in s jail for ced Uribe re-paid ded the term ruinin Uribe to (right Mallor the couple on condit g their But Uribe ca last ) convi . ion he year and hol- insolve cted over has “I though then fore nt and now declar luxur ed t that the y villa have declar ed the court has himself ment been why the lockdo renta case over. therel wn (abov we e) but email for months, have had nomight warne now conm inform but then payd.“It turned was now ing us mers had I got an an is that told the ended,” ‘bank from the simply out these IT speciathe matter rupt’ Olive scamand free list Lucia site,” Luciainternet stolen the picture She andPress this bank husban week. money explainand set up s also account runs a fake a compu d Peter, used by in Valenc there to be return ed. had hande who “The author the same ia that ter busine Lucia were no fundsed was refuse d over a bank scamm was to take ities ss, couple manag ed to in the accound as tinued this very in Spain don’ters. one-w transfer tothe cash via eek stay find seriou t. pay for scam. s who had ket villa sly,” she seem crime. . “But to my at a Mallor One of fallen fortwo other conBut just near Palmaan upmarthe same stolen How much mind this ca with them turned find they were due the day , in 2017. their While from innoce money hasis a big up in had nowhe two childre nt people been told the to fly out,before they guilty Uribe claime re to stay. n to d he ?” availab villa was they were behindand other shadie was le. no longer The couple r figures not should the scam, Dos Determ pay for were she ling with , who were he is convic ined that sier the crimebelieves fall victim their two travelJulia, no-one he ted. “This for which to the to have 15 and puts us the time, site, sheelse should have gone it closed Alicia,children, off visitin manag an official anothe were forced nine at down past few to Corfu g Spain. ed to book She also complaint. after makin instead We Incred r villa. not good years. Scams g for went SALES which search ibly, on an should for Spain like this the & RENTAL eventu to the Guard with Lucia al they for a last minutinternet S SPECIA ally took er for realise this – the author are ia Moriara• and make LISTS ities twice flying ness to Calpe•Ja on the Civil, easier conmen tual villawere offered e rentlon•Jave it hardthe ac“The Granada. out as case, back.” for peopleto work online and told by the a•Denia• a witAltea to get and I thinkcourt paid the victimthat theyreal owners A home their the the money had been www. surpri that has s of a classic defend expenses, by Uribe address given morair a-hami turnedsed to see ant’s lawyer but ty this in Grana over the caught hundr scam to the ltons.n up, that me. da appear was Neighbweek. last court eds et Olive would If I hadn’t ed empPress few years, as out end of the ours told have had has freque the During case,” she said. been the An not seen himthe Olive the ntly she Press official compi two year addresfor ‘some time’.they letting led investi format s for ion – a huge dossie gation empty s busine ss’ turnedhis ‘holida includ r of in- they with local ing details y had never busine out to be of a sses heard of him. saying
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NEWS IN BRIEF
July 9th - July 22nd 2020
The
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revealed last month how one British victim managed to track down and prosecute another scammer in Granada. Lucia Myers, 54, from London, managed to get the Guardia Civil to take out a prosecution against Alvaro Uribe, who had run a website that took €2,800 off them for a dream villa in Mallorca two years ago. Computer technician Myers tracked the scammers details to banks in Valencia and Granada and eventually got Uribe a prison sentence. Two years ago we exposed a fake villa website ‘www. dreamvillasspain.com’ following a string of holiday heartbreaks. Policia Nacional would not confirm this week whether dreamvillasspain – which legally operated under the name Digital Dreams SL in Palma – was one of sites used by the scammers. It was also unclear if the gang was the same five men who were arrested in February in Benidorm for a similar offence, this time involving the loss of €220,000. 1883
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Drink drive dummies A FATHER and son are facing charges after cops in Elche caught the 16-year-old minor behind the wheel next to his drunk dad. He had been forced to take over the drive home with his father being three times over the drink drive limit.
Tusk force A GROUP of Costa Blanca residents have been arrested for advertising illegal ivory online. Police located the vendors on an Alicante-based platform for second-hand items. None of the ivory had supporting invoices, documentation or licences. Impounded items included a €385 ivory crucifix from Pilar de la Horadada and two hairbrushes in Torrevieja valued at €200 for the pair. It follows a 2018 Oxford University study that found Spain had one of the worst records in the EU for sales of illegal ivory. The university investigated 18 pieces of ivory purchased from online antiques portals and found them all to be illegal.
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STEPPING IN: Villanelle’s Barcelona flat
Bite of the Big Apple DANI Garcia has announced his return to New York with a fine dining restaurant and a ‘fast food’ venture. The controversial Spanish chef is descending on the Big Apple six years after his dream opening there, Manzanilla, closed with debts of €600,000. The 44-year-old is famous for shutting down his eponymous Costa del Sol eatery, just a month after it garnered a third Michelin star. Garcia, who also launched a McDonalds burger, aims to open 15 ‘full service’ Casa Dani restaurants and up to 100 ‘quick service’ Minük joints in the US and worldwide.
THE Spanish base for an infamous TV assassin is up for rent in Barcelona. Liverpudlian actress Jodie Comer has won rave reviews for playing contract killer Villanelle in the big international hit, Killing Eve, and now visitors can book the property online via Airbnb. The Art Nouveau flat that featured in the series was
July 9th - July 22nd 2020
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Making a killing designed in 1906 and will cost at least €300 a night to hire. Fans of the show will be able to see where Villanelle hung out and plotted some of her latest adventures.
Chequebook love Ex-lover of former king claims she was given €65 million out of ‘gratitude’ By Scarlet Jenkins
GERMAN aristocrat Corinna Larsen says her former lover, King Juan Carlos gave her €64.8 million ‘out of gratitude and love.’ She believes the ‘gift’ might have been an attempt to ‘win her back.’
THE King and Queen of Spain have embarked on a royal tour in order to promote the new normality and encourage tourists to visit. Felipe VI along with his wife Letizia spent a few days in Andalucia as part of their tour, visiting both Sevilla and Cordoba. The glamorous duo started their tour in the Canary Islands, before moving to the Balearics, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Valencia and most recently Murcia. The official objective of this tour of the country is ‘to promote the most characteristic activities of each region in all sectors, economic, social and cultural.’ In addition, the Royal couple want to thank and recognise in person the effort that everyone made to overcome the pandemic. "We promote the message that now travel throughout the country," said the King.
LOVEBIRDS: Corinna Larsen and King Juan Carlos She made the statement to the Geneva Prosecutor's Office in 2018, but it was only released recently due to Larsen claiming her right within Swiss law to appeal sending her statement to another country.
Going walkabout
It is now seen as crucial in an ongoing investigation into the retired king for money laundering and tax fraud. The business woman, whose full name is Corinna Zu Saynn-Wittgenstein, claims ‘it was a gift,’ and not an attempt ‘to get rid of the money’. Larsen stated she was called up by Juan Carlos’s lawyer, Dante Canonical, who told her the retired king wanted to give her the cash to ensure a ‘good future for my children and me.’
Donations
Larsen was also questioned about €1.5 million given to her by her royal lover in 2011, but she claimed it was a ‘donation’ so she could buy a house in central London. The four people involved, including Larsen, Juan Carlos, Canonical, and the king's manager, Arturo Fasana, are being tried for money laundering, which would result in a five year prison sentence.
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HOLLYWOOD HUNK: Hugh Jackman’s global goal
Wolverine a fan of PM Sanchez
HOLLYWOOD actor Hugh Jackman has shared an Instagram story of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, along with the Spanish flag. The Australian actor posted these stories as part of the worldwide campaign Global Goal: Unite For Our Future. On June 27, world leaders from around the world took part in the campaign, along with music stars, such as Justin Bieber and Shakira, who performed in order to raise money. Many famous figures from numerous industries have been involved with this campaign, including Bill Gates, who donated millions. The social initiative calls on world leaders to commit the financial resources necessary to deliver tests, treatments and vaccines to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the world's most vulnerable people. In the video, Sanchez said: “We must mobilise so that the health crisis does not provoke a human rights crisis.” Jackman's post, which also features a waving flag of Spain, has caused quite a stir among his followers, who have commented hundreds of times.
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NEWS
END OF COAL?
SPAIN has closed seven out a total 15 coal-fuelled power plants after EU restrictions have cut profitability in the sector drastically. On June 30, the plants in A Coruña, Asturias, Leon, Teruel, Cordoba and Palencia closed their doors for the last time. Increases in penalties for the production of CO2 emissions to punitive levels have caused traditional fossil fuel factories to fall behind natural and renewable energy sources. A large drop in the price of natural gas due to European surpluses have also encouraged energy companies to replace outdated coal production with gas.
Flagged up
Costa Blanca beaches shamed with black flags
BLACK flags have been handed to two Costa Blanca beaches for being among the most-polluted in all of Spain. Green group Ecologistas en Accion gave Guardamar’s Babilonia beach an award for its poor state of repair, in particular of beach houses, while Alicante’s San Gabriel was given one for contamination. In total, six beaches were given black marks in Valencia, out of 48 around the Spanish coastline. Poor water quality, due to spillages, is behind some 40% of this year’s 48 black flags, with two handed out to each province. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the first Black
July 9th July 22nd 2020
Buzzing in MOSQUITOS have boomed in numbers due to a ‘perfect storm’ of wet weather in the spring, a nationwide lockdown and searing summer temperatures. Experts have warned of three types of blood-suckers along the Costa del Sol this year; the common Culex, the tiger and the marsh mosquito. “The Culex is the one that bothers you as you try to sleep and bites in the night,” said expert Raimundo Leal. Their numbers have been aided by the wetter than usual spring which created much more areas of accumulated water.
Suckers
ACTIVISTS: Highlighting blighted beaches By Alex Trelinski
Flags report and includes an extra section reporting on the situation in the last six years, during which some 284 black flags have been awarded. “Despite the fact that only two examples are used for each province, unfortunately the list should include more beaches,” an Ecologistas en
Accion spokesperson said. Alongside sewage leaks, other common problems for beaches included invasive species, erosion on sandy beaches, or ‘unjustified’ port expansion projects. It comes as Spain won 589 coveted blue flags, continuing its 33-year reign as the country with the world’s largest number of flags. The Valencian Community
“Any container left with water in it allowed for the mosquitos to multiply,” he added. The more harmful tiger mosquito has also experienced a boom this year, and this is the one governments need to tackle. They usually attack more in urban settings and are attracted to any small container carrying water, such as a flower pot. They attack during the day and on the street, rarely making it into the home, and they normally go for the legs and transmit serious tropical diseases such as Zike or Dengue.
Investing… is it all about timing? Market timing is an expression often used within the world of investing. Buying into an investment at its lowest point and selling at its highest = getting the timing of the markets right. With the recent Covid-19 pandemic dominating the news and volatility on the world stocks, it certainly created opportunity for investors to buy stocks at a ‘discounted’ rate, but is ‘market timing’ just a piece of jargon or does it hold the key to long term financial gain? We meet so many investors here in Spain, they might hold a QROPs, SIPP or a Spanish Compliant Investment bond from providers like Quilter International, Prudential, Lombard, SEB, STM etc, but they all have these same questions… So how do we know when a market it at the top or the bottom? Well we don’t, it’s something that we have to anticipate and it’s that word ‘anticipate’ which gives us our first problem when trying to time the markets. I often come across cases where the investor (or financial adviser) had instructed the sale of an investment during or after a fall. What they are doing is the equivalent of driving whilst looking in the rear-view mirror. You need to look out of the windscreen in order to have the best chance of driving safely. The trouble with doing that in terms of the stock market is that the visibility is often so poor, it feels like driving in fog. This approach to investing is pointless, in order to successfully implement such market timing strategies, you not only have to
be able to predict events — interest rate rises, wars, oil price shocks, the impact of the coronavirus, the outcome of elections and referendums — you also need to know what the market was expecting and how it will react and get your timing right. Tricky. There are quite long periods when the market falls and takes a long time to regain previous highs. How shall we judge whether you should try to take advantage of this? Take the market (in this case the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index — the Dow) from 1970-2020. This is a period of 50 years which spans inflationary and deflationary cycles and which has seen several crises and crashes as well as bull markets. It seems like a long and fair sample period. Imagine that over this 50 year period there were two competing investment strategies. Strategy number one (let’s call this ‘The Consistent’ method). It is where an investor continues to invest an equal amount every trading day throughout the 50 year period irrespective of market conditions (this is a common approach when making regular contributions into a pension, Isa or regular savings plan).
The other strategy (let’s call this Stop/ Start) requires enough foresight for the Providing multi-award winning advice for your investor to invest the same amount pensions, investments & tax planning. daily, but to stop investing when the market turns down and save the cash, to then invest that cash when the market hits its By Tracy Storer, low point, also referred to as an ‘absolute Senior Partner bottom buying strategy’). Over the 50-year period, the second strategy would have produced returns 22 per cent higher than the first. It sounds impressive — perhaps a little less so when you break it down to an 0.4 The markets subsequently soared. per cent outperformance The key to long term financial growth is not per year. But think of the to outsmart the markets, it’s about putting time, effort, cost and risk together an investment strategy using a diyou would have to spend verse range of funds, that have a strong monitoring markets to track record and collectively will provide get those calls just right. you with a portfolio that will grow over the In reality, attempts to im- medium to long term. plement the second stra- Our approach at Chorus is simply this, so tegy will almost certainly whether you are looking for a new investcause harm to your net worth as nobody has ment appropriate for a Spanish residents perfect foresight. In your desire to time the or you may already have a QROPs, SIPP markets, you will stop investing, or worse, or a Spanish Compliant Investment bond sell and take money out when you expect the from providers like Quilter International, market to go down, and instead it goes up. Prudential, Lombard, SEB, STM etc, Chorus Think back to Brexit and Trump’s election. We are always here to offer their expert, howere told by most commentators that they nest, professional advice. would not happen, but if they did, the mar- If you’d like to discuss your requirements kets would plunge. Not only were they wrong in more detail, call me on 693 107 044 or about the events, but they were also wrong email t.storer@chorusfinancial.es or visit about the market’s reaction to those events. the website www.chorusfinancial.es
The advisers trading as Chorus Financial are members of OpesFidelio and authorised to give financial advice subject to contract in parts of the EEA, including Spain, CNMV No Registro Oficial 3970. OpesFidelio is a trademarked network of the Aisa Group which includes Aisa Financial Planning Ltd and Aisa International s.r.o. Aisa Financial Planning is authorised and regulated in the UK as an independent financial adviser for UK retail clients by the Financial Conduct Authority, Reference number: 189652, and has permissions throughout the EEA under both directives IDD and MiFID. Aisa International s.r.o. is authorised and regulated in the Czech Republic as a financial adviser by the Czech National Bank and has permissions through selected EEA countries, including Spain.
Investment contracts are intended as medium to long term investments, and all investments have some level of risk. Figures in our articles are examples of what can be achieved and cannot be guaranteed; the value of your investments can go down as well as up. Fees and charges can vary and will be fully explained to you before any advice can take place. This article should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular product.
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Virus-Free Month THE Marina Alta region has been free of coronavirus cases for over a month, according to figures from the Valencian Community. The comarca – which includes Denia, Javea, Moraira, Benissa and Calp – has now seen no new COVID-19 patients since May 27. The region has also gone two months without any deaths.
Hospital’s jewel riddle A GROUP of families are demanding answers over missing valuables from bereaved elderly relatives who all died from COVID-19 at the same Valencia hospital. The four families believe that staff at the Doctor Peset Hospital may have stolen a number of watches and jewellery from loved ones. One victim Arturo Rocher, 80, may have had a Cartier watch and a gold pendant stolen. While his family were able to recover a few other personal items the valuable items were gone. Three other families have joined Mr. Rocher Escamilla in filing a claim with the hospital’s Patient Care and Information Service (SAIP).
July 9th - July 22nd 2020
Stop violating us! A PAIR of expat charities have launched a campaign to drop the ‘crippling’ VAT charges on charity shop sales. The Costa Blanca organisations are demanding an end to the 21% IVA levy that must go on top of all goods sold at their shops. Reach Out and Help at Home are hoping that dozens of other charities along the coast will join their campaign for change. “The situation is ridiculous,” said David Young, president of Torrevieja-based Reach Out. “What they are doing is raping charities, taking money out of our bank accounts, forcing us to pay money which otherwise could be spent helping more people in need. AN expert has warned that thermal image cameras in airports such as those installed at Alicante-Elche - are ‘no guarantee’ of spotting COVID-19 infections. Professor Javier Molina from Elche’s Cardenal Herrera University says that, although thermal imaging is a good temperature screening technique, it does not
By Joshua Parfitt
“The government either doesn’t understand what charity is, or chooses not to,” he added. He claims that each charity paid nearly €20,000 last year on value added tax (IVA) alone – despite charities in other countries in Europe being ‘tax exempt’. And this is despite their valuable work saving money for local town halls by performing social services, and that without taxation they would be able to do ‘much more’ work. They believe it is unfair that IVA should be paid again on an item that had already had IVA levied on it when sold as
Hot issue mean that people presenting above-average results have coronavirus. Molina said that a high body temperature could result from ‘drinking coffee’ or some form of ‘physical exertion’. “Even putting some cream on your face could change the result,” he said. “The actual position of
Making More Room
Expat-run charities launch campaign to stop ‘crippling’ unfair IVA costs
4 new in the first place. They argue that given that a Chari NEWS customer donates the item to ty cas a charity shop, why should e the government get a quar- reYour People ter of the money in the sale hehepore rttoers, smug gling lp on ring sh the Co ut from tax. Blancasta D Carmen from Help at Home OORW A Y MUM added: “Although we are LOCA TED not providing a service on behalf of local councils, we are helping many people in need, taking them to and from hospitals and doctors, doing shopping and numerous chores when they have no help from another source. “We are not a busi“It’s so sad that we had to ness; we are not doing work give almost €20,000 to the to make a profit but to help government last year for no others and good reason. the government needs to understand that.” The campaign comes after the thermal cameras is the Olive Press was the first crucial, as the best temEnglish newspaper in Spain perature measurement to report on the IVA taxation actually comes from the laws in January (see stay corner of the eye.” above). The professor stated We revealed how the governthat only a thorough ment had begun ramping up medical examination inspections on charities and and testing could dewas even fining them ‘up to termine for certain €24,000’ for unpaid IVA. that somebody had We revealed that the tax man COVID-19, and that viewed charity shops as any thermal imaging is not other high-street business a way of ‘detecting’ the following recent law changes coronavirus. to crackdown on fraudulent operations. www.the olivepre ss.es
Februa ry 6th -
Contact stories them with 951 273 or news any new sde 575 or emaon press.es sk@ the oliv il e(Person
al contact on pag s e 6)
EXC By JoshLUSIVE ua Parfi
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2020
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5
DISTANCES between tables in bars, restaurants, and outside terraces could be reduced to just 1.5m in the Valencian Community in a bid to boost takings for struggling businesses. President Ximo Puig has asked the regional Health Ministry to look at the implications of cutting the space and how it would affect potential coronavirus transmissions. The region has already reduced national social distancing measures of 2m down to 1.5m after the central Ministry of Health granted flexibility to the region for its good statistics. Puig said that he was keen to help the hospitality sector by increasing their customer base and that he also wants to make moves towards opening nightclubs. The Valencian president made his comments after a meeting to discuss plans to boost tourism in the quieter seasons of autumn and winter. Hotels and other holiday accommodation would get money from a special fund to keep prices as low as possible to attract visitors in two phases between October and mid-December, and then from early January through to Easter. Puig did not specify how much money would be offered to businesses.
6
NEWS FEATURE
www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION The truth always outs THE Continental Wealth Management scandal is set to rumble on. Despite the three month COVID-19 lockdown the cast of characters will continue to be summoned to answer questions at Denia Court. And whether they like it or not, justice WILL be done. When we wrote that a trio of the key CWM team - Neil Hathaway, Dean Stogsdill and Anthony Downs - had given evidence in the €35 million fraud case in February we put it on page 4. So, deciding to steal hundreds of our papers from the streets of Javea was probably not Hathaway’s smartest move. But then again, nor was advising hundreds of pensioners to swap their hard earned nest eggs from low to high risk funds. In doing so he found himself the subject of a police investigation and now a lawsuit, which is reported this week on the FRONT page. While the courts will hopefully make the CWM team pay for ending the dreams of hundreds of innocent investors, the Olive Press vows to ensure Hathaway pays the price of stealing our papers. Did he really think the truth wouldn’t somehow come out anyway?
Enough is enough! THE entire country has suffered during the COVID-19 crisis. Money is tight and people are desperate to return to normality and get the economy up to full steam. But this should not be used as an excuse to allow the wholesale destruction of what remains of the Costa Blanca’s beautiful countryside. All along the hundreds of kilometres of the region’s coastline massive developments have sprung up over the past 50 years – many to the benefit of locals and newcomers alike. But when the last few virgin beaches and undeveloped rural valleys – many supposedly protected in ‘natural parks’ - are put under threat of development there is only one driving force. Greed. This land is relatively cheap as it is not classified for development. So it is often snapped up by ‘businessmen’ looking to make a fortune by using legal loopholes or lax regulations to push through construction projects. Andalucia’s new LISTA planning laws are a prime example of permissive legislation and we must keep our eyes peeled on the Levante. The Olive Press has a long and proud history of opposing the worst excesses, including campaigning against the Los Merinos project that would have devastated the countryside near Ronda, as well as the barbaric Algarrobico Hotel just down the road in Carboneras. We will continue to do so. We say it once more, loud and clear: Enough is enough!
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The clock is ticking in the battle to save the last natural jewel on the Nerja coastline from the clutches of developers who want ANOTHER golf resort. James Warren reports
T
HE battle lines have been drawn between green groups and wealthy developers over one of Andalucia’s last undeveloped stretches of coastline. At stake is the future of what is claimed to be the last unspoilt stretch of Malaga’s eastern Costa del Sol. Soon it could be riddled with bunkers and fairways. Sociedad Azucarera Larios SA plans to develop a 250-hectare strip of coastal land a stone’s throw from the tranquil village of Maro, near Nerja, into an 18hole PGA-standard golf course, luxury hotel and around 700 luxury homes. The project has been touted by the company as a complete transformation of the area - as seen in a glitzy promotional vid-
BEFORE AND AFTER: The near-virgin coastline and fertile farmland of Nerja to be ripped up for huge Maro Golf resort (right) eo doing the rounds on websites like Conde Nast Traveler - ridding the hillsides of ‘unsightly ‘farmland’ and ‘hippies’ who currently call the district their home. It also features renowned American golf course designer Cabell Robinson, who is responsible for some of the region’s finest courses. Nerja town hall, led by controversial mayor Jose Alberto Armijo (PP), has given the plan his full backing. Echoing the sentiments of the developers, he is eager to ‘clean up the area’ and bring in
some much needed income and jobs. But the project, while popular with some locals, has met with ferocious opposition, not only from Armijo’s political rivals but also from expat residents and environmental groups. They accuse the developers and town hall of using ‘underhand tactics’ to make the so-called Maro Golf project happen by sowing the seeds for the project over the last 25 years. “For years, the landowners have been paying off people to give
Fair hel up their land, causing great rifts in families as some people want to sell and others, with long lines
Getting back to business...
T
HE Costa Blanca is getting busier, as things start to return to normal. It may still be relatively quiet, but as these pictures by the Olive Press photographer David Proctor show the streets and beaches in the region are starting to fill up. But tourism bosses have decided that the region can not rely solely on its hard-won reputation as a sunny destination to recover, so they have decided to launch a major advertising campaign to attract international tourists following the lifting of lockdown restrictions. The adverts, placed on internet travel platforms and social media, will also target the large UK market to hammer home that Spain is open again for business. Alicante’s provincial council has joined forces with the Valencian government and regional hotel association Hosbec to start an immediate push to boost visitor numbers over the peak season. The Valencian Community, which is home to the Costa Blanca, welcomed just over 9.5 million foreign tourists last year, pumping €9.6 billion into the local economy.
The largest single group of international visitors to the region last year was from the UK. Alicante provincial council has this week approved €363,000 of emergency funding to the new promotional campaign after its president, Carlos Mazon, described as an ‘exceptional and urgent situation’. The main target will be to get at least 60% of the Costa Blanca’s hotels opening up by the end of September with a 70% occupancy rate. Carlos Mazon said: “This is a crucial time where we have to act fast over the summer months to promote what the region has to offer.” Though hotels will feature strongly, the campaign will also promote restaurants, shops, campsites, and inland attractions. The three-pronged campaign will target local residents to persuade them to support the Costa Blanca hospitality industry. Domestic tourism adverts will hit areas like Madrid, the Basque Country, and Asturias, and a push will be made into the lucrative foreign markets of the UK, France, Germany, and Portugal.
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GETTING BUSIER: The arrivals of British and German tourists is helping local business
Pictures by David Proctor
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BRAINCHILD: Of Maro Golf designer Robinson
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READERS in Valencia and Murcia can be forgiven for looking over to Andalucia with a shudder. Swathes of the region are in danger of being concreted over after a new planning law was brought in by the regional government. Green groups including Ecologistas en Accion, and hundreds of local associations are up in arms over the so-called LISTA law - passed during the lockdown - that is set to allow dozens of previously outlawed projects to go ahead. They are furious about not one, but TWO new hotels on virgin beaches in the supposedly protected natural park of Cabo de Gata. And over in Nerja many locals are fighting plans for a golf course project – as related on these pages. Valencia and Murcia have had more than their fair share of planning scandals and controversies in the past. So we at the Olive Press promise to keep a watchful eye on new projects and have launched our ‘Hands Off the Costas’ campaign to fight to save what’s left of some of Spain’s most beautiful spots.
a completely negative influence 50-plus golf courses along the on Maro.” Costa del Sol, with some even Meanwhile, the Otro Maro closing including Monte Mayor groups insist the job claims are in Marbella. inflated, with the average golf Baviera went into receivership course only employing 16 peo- last year, threatening jobs, and ple. only an 11th hour buyout saved “And do you really think they will it from closure. use local builders?” said Deb- But despite this, manager Auroorah, “They will ra del Rio Garcbring in whoever es remains upcomes cheapest.” Project that could beat about the Her sentiments new Maro projtear this last are echoed by felect. “It would low Maro resident create another remaining oasis expat Graham, a golf destination retired financier east of Malaga,” of tranquillity from Dublin who she said. apart has owned a plot Among other loof land in the area cals in favour of for five years. the course, Ana “I came here for the scenery, Guierro, who works at the Puthe ruggedness and tranquillity ente Aguila bar near the Cuevas but if they go ahead with the golf de Nerja, said: “It’s a good idea, course, I’m sure many people it will bring many opportunities will want to relocate,” he said. to the area.” The row is underscored by the Meanwhile, there are rumblings recent struggles of neighbour- of discontent behind the scenes ing Baviera Golf, 15 minutes at Larios Azucares SL, with one along the coast in Caleta de of the four main shareholders Velez, which has fallen on hard expressing concern over the times, as have many of the other financial investment in the project, raising questions over the management of the company. Barbara Gutierrez-Maturana-Larios, along with her mother and sister, insist that the company does not have the assets to invest €300 million into the project. They are also concerned over internal differences in the running of the company and are calling for it to be disbanded, putting the whole project in doubt unless a truce can be worked out. And with the new law coming into force in Sevilla, it means they could potentially put pen to paper this summer on a project that could tear this last remaining oasis of tranquillity apart. The Olive Press has approached Sociedad Azucarera ANGRY: Nerja residents Deborah Fountain and her husband Paco Galvez are against the Maro Golf Larios SA and Nerja Town Counplans, which could see the old Maro sugar factory (right) turned into a swanky new hotel cil for comment.
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PREDATOR WARNING EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore and Aleesha Hansel
A CONVICTED British paedophile has been offering one-on-one home tuition for children on the Costa del Sol, the Olive Press can reveal. Mark Jales (left), who was part of an evil paedophile ring in the UK throughout the 1970s and 80s, has posted several teaching adverts online after moving to Torrox
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last year. The 55-year-old, who now goes by the name ‘Mark Grayson’ or ‘Mark Kneel-Thornton’, offers to teach English to anyone ‘aged between 14 and 70’, and is willing to do it in person ‘or on Skype’. He claims he is able to help any children of ESO level, which is in fact 12 to 16 in age. Jales was jailed for his part in the London gang, which sexually abused at least four young choir boys - although police believe there could be more victims who have not come forward. Each were ‘groomed’ with alcohol, pornography and takeaway dinners. During the trial, one victim recalled how Jales laid out pornography on a bed before undressing and abusing him. “It was furtive and it was squalid,” the victim told the
COSTA BLANCA
Vol. 2 Issue 33 www.theolivepress.es
Exclusive interviews See Page 8
Christian Brueckner’s Spanish hideaway
A DANGEROUS paedophile believed to have snatched English tot Maddie McCann visited southern Spain on many occasions. German pervert Christian Brueckner hid out in the Alpujarras region of Granada often Press can sensationally reveal. dealing drugs, the Olive According to his best friend, an Austrian who lived in the area for many years, he even visited just two or three weeks after Maddie went missing. Michael Tatshl, who spent eight Brueckner, now believes he is guiltymonths in prison with of the murder of Madeleine. Having spent 14 hours being grilled by police over the crime, he spoke to the Olive Press for the first time to explain why. “He was a real pervert and talked about selling Morocco, I am pretty sure he did children to it,” he said this week. Micha, 46, who lived in Orgiva for over a decade, revealed that Brueckner had visited the town many occasions in his jaguar on and various vans.
One concerned expat who first tipped us off to Jales’ whereabouts by finding his Facebook account, told the Olive Press: “The register is extremely strict about attempting to contact or even making yourself available to be connected to kids. “His Facebook profile alone is a breach of such conditions, nevermind advertising to teach children.” It comes after he was exposed by the UK press for launching a legal firm to help families get their children back in the UK after he was released from prison. Parents in family court cases paid £300 (340 euros) for his support as a ‘McKenzie Friend’ – an aide who does not need formal legal qualifications.
FAMILIAR SIGHT: Brueckner’s
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com. In one advert he says: “I am a warm and kind teacher who believes that learning should also be fun so that you can practice and improve your English without feeling stressed or under pressure. “I am a native English teacher and have two years of experience teaching online. “I teach students from 14 to 70 years of age, conversation or business English with individual classes by Skype. “I also have classes for up to 6 students at a local café in BUSTED: Jales’ advert Torrox.” Jales, who was convicted of court in 2014. Croydon But since being released the indecent assault at half Olive Press can reveal Jales Crown Court and served bemoved to Spain, where he has of a 12 months sentence hind bars, must stay on the family and friends. register While here he has been seek- UK’s sex offenders’ ing students as an English until 2024. he must teacher on websites including The conditions state children findmyfavouriteteacher.com have no contact with tuclasesparticulares. under that age of 18. and
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tures and counting for their Change.org petition. Ecologistas en Accion has also been extremely vocal in its opposition to the project and the new government bill that would allow it to come to fruition (see Freefor-all, inset). During its annual ‘Atila’ awards, the group singled out Andalucia President Juanma Moreno Armijo for gongs for their ‘eagerness to destroy’ the coastline. The bill in question (LISTA, the ‘Law for the Promotion of Sustainability of the Territory of Andalucia), aims to simplify the categorisation of undeveloped land. But it means that, potentially, even protected land could be opened up to developers, as seen in two places of the fragile and endangered Cabo de Gata Natural park, in Almeria. In response to the massive backlash, Nieves Atencia, Nerja councillor for urban planning, has quashed any claims of a secret agreement between Larios and the PP. “I urge the opposition to this to be more responsible and to change their approach to a more constructive one, instead of seeking media prominence,” she said. However local Podemos spokesperson Juan Jose Aido Haro, told the Olive Press that his party strongly opposes the plans. “We are against developing this project. It has been farmland for many generations,” he said. “The golf course is just an excuse to build a luxury hotel and hundreds of homes for tourists. Its implementation would have
OU
rway to ll of farming heritage, do not,” explained expat Deborah Fountain, 53, a retired hairdresser from London. “Families who have worked this land for over four generations have been torn apart,” she continued. The Adelante political coalition in Nerja has also explained that for years, Larios has allowed settlers to live on the land for next to no rent, yet now is using them as a political tool to develop the area. “This situation of neglect has been encouraged by renting out the land to people, many of whom are not in agriculture at all. This way they already have an excuse to say that you have to end this situation of abandonment of the land when it is them themselves that have caused it.” explained Andres Jimenez Perez, a member of Izquierda Unida in Nerja. Fountain, along with her husband Paco Galvez, are members of the official opposition platform, Otro Maro y Nerja es Posible. She has lived in the area for 35 years and the couple have an idyllic life on a smallholding. “We have been fighting this for years but it is forever a losing battle,” explained Galvez. And now they have garnered strong support for their cause with the likes of Ecologistas en Accion and Greenpeace Spain on board, as well as Royal Holloway, University of London, whose students visit the site every year as part of their geology syllabus. There are also 19,000 signa-
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HE Olive Press stands for strong, independent, investigative local journalism. And you don’t have to take our word for it – just ask Google. The internet giant has recognised us through its Google News Initiative and dipped into its coffers to give the Olive Press a substantial grant. Its Journalism Emergency Relief Fund was set up to help small and medium sized news organisations weather the COVID-19 storm. But applicants had to meet stringent conditions to qualify. First and foremost they had to produce ‘original news for local communities’, with the emphasis on news, and have a digital presence, among other criteria. Google set high standards for the awards and not many applicants achieved them. The Olive Press was chosen as one of a handful in Spain - and just 1,550 newsrooms around the three continents of Europe, Africa and the Middle East to get the grant. We have already invested some of the money in taking on new journalists, not buying Bentleys or i-Macs, and we continue to break dozens of big stories in Spain every month. We pride ourselves on producing relevant investigative news that connects with the expat community – and we are glad to see Google agrees. NEW UltraClear SuperClean treatment. Stays cleaner for longer.
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Jet setters...
(far BIG FANS: Obama, Cameron and it right) Saudi royalty know how to spend
J.Lo-ving it!
she JENNIFER Lopez has confirmed will play on the Costa del Sol to celebrate her 50th birthday. 49, The forever-young Latina legend, will take to the stage at Marenostrum Castle Park in Fuengirola. will The unmissable gig on August 8 mark over seven years since the Jenny from the Block singer’s last Spain appearance. J. Lo takes part in the Marenostrum Festival, which has also seen the likes Rod and Cox Carl Yankee, of Daddy Stewart. Having sold in excess of 80 million records worldwide, Lopez, who was the in born to Puerto Rican parents the Bronx, New York, is regarded as US. most influential Latin artist in the
Is it up? Is it down? Where’s the property market going this summer?....Don’t miss this month’s Property Magazine Final hurdle
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and property Giant €750m multi-sports final furlong development enters EXCLUSIVE By Laurence
Dollimore
and will be massive for Mijas sporting “This will sports tourism and multibe the largest A RAFT of international in Europe,” the back an exciting stars are lining up to and residential sports events venue the project, Anbusinessman behindthe West Midlands, €750 million sportsdel Sol. project on the Costa Ferdinand and thony Arnold, from this week. Maria Sharapova, Rioexpressed a keen told the Olive PressSharapova has been ace left) Ian Woosnam have all of the proj- Russian tennis and Ferdinand (below in the interior design Sharapova, Woosnam interest in the huge British-funded long-neglect- involved called ‘Mijas City of Sport,’ TRIO OF BACKERS: project, ect to revolutionise Mijas’ site. captain Ferdiwhile former England sports ed hippodrome racecourse of the big names the site to his Football style resort for the professional The trio are just some Mirage develop- nand is set to add community’. and sports business looking to back the a golf course, a Escapes company. premier football It will include a five-star hotel, spa, casino The firm provides ment, which includes a trio of hotels and coaching courses at some of the most and luxury apartments. multi-sports venue, and university the Olive the world. An entertainment venue exclusive resorts around over 1,000 luxury apartments, Woosnam, mean- campus are also being considered for the reveal. Welsh golfing legend Press can exclusively detailed 17-page the signature site, according to the while, has helped design and will be heading overview of the project, seen by the Olive 18-hole golf course the up the gold academy. - which sits over Press. planned to begin by The proposed projectdivided into three Construction is if Mijas town hall 250 hectares - will be the brand name middle of next year a working govwhich has still not formed different areas under elections following recent localArquitects Mirage. HCP a large sport- ernment gives it the green light. unveiling the Mirage Sport will feature training facility officially ing events venue, elitealongside a com- of Malaga will benext few weeks. and a 400-room hotel business centre. masterplan in the on this for eight years “I’ve been working the mercial, conference and Golf will also have now and we are so close to getting “It Meanwhile Mirage Arnold. apartments, hotel, casino and apartments backing we need,” continued a hotel and 1,200 luxury designs include five-star for not only MiMIRAGE: Development’s alongside its course. will be an exclu- will be hugely important Costa del Sol.” Finally Mirage Club‘designed as a life- jas but the whole sive sporting club
FREE INSIDE
Innocent Brit wrongly fingered for drug
CAMPAIGNER: Cristina
olive Press medical campaign finally draws blood with Nolotil regulation close
See page 6
haul finally released from year in violent
HE’S OUT!
prison
EXclUSiVE By Elisa menendez
Olive Press for Robert Mansfield-Hewitt thanks year-long campaign for his release engineer wrongly accused of storing BRITISH A tonnes of hashish in the wrongly imprisoned for a 1.5 of a property where year for drug smuggling garage he was renting a room in has finally been released. Roque. Robert Mansfield-Hewitt, San innocent Brit - who has 51, was let go without The for the MOD for 20 charge after being locked workedmuch of it in Gibralup for more than a year years, - was taken to infamous alongside terrorists and tar prison in Almurderers in a Spanish jail. Botafuegos on June 27 last year The Ministry of Defence geciras a dramatic night (MOD) worker had been following
EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore
raid. He quickly became the Guardia Civil’s main suspect despite having no previous convictions and the actual owner of the property having a previous drug conviction in Gibraltar. Despite, a lack of evidence and three front page stories
of our front pages THRILLED: Hewitt with two a shocking seven months to by this paper - he was held at formally charge him - after the notorious jail, home to denying him bail three times. ETA terrorists and Irish maDespite a serious long-term fia members, until last week. liver condition, which saw “It is amazing to be finally him moved in and out of hosout,” Hampshire-based Manpital, he did not get his day in sfield-Hewitt told the Olive court until May 27. Press from a restaurant in La Incredibly, he has still been Linea this week. ordered to pay a €1,500 fine “I’m still getting used to being for ‘renting unlicensed tourout, it has been a crazy ride.” accommodation’. ist paper the He also thanked He revealed he is now set to for all the support and legal take legal action against the pressure we have put on the state but for now is focusing authorities since his arrest. on getting home. “It is great to have had a local He is flying back from Malaga media group keeping this in the public eye. Without your Continues on Page 4 help, I’m sure it would have taken longer,” he said. Opinion Page 6 In draconian circumstances, it took Spanish authorities
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AN Olive Press health campaign has led to ‘the biggest’ drug probes in Spanish history. Our investigation into the mysterious deaths of expats from the painkiller Nolotil last year, is finally being acted on. In a landmark breakthrough, a national probe is expected to lead to new regulation of the drug, which is banned in the UK and most of Europe. “It has been a long time in coming and by raising so much awareness, I am sure lives have already been saved,” medical and legal translator Cristina Garcia del Campo told the Olive Press. The medical professional found our 1000-strong petition online and took it forward after one of her patients died from the drug. “Spain wants to help,
NoloTil VicTory
loomS that’s for sure. I have had support from every healthcare professional I have spoken to. “If I hadn’t come across your article I wouldn’t have realised what was happening to the English community,” she
TRAGIC: Graeme Ward with wife Mary (left) and Billy Smyth, who both died from Nolotil
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added. We launched our ‘Kill the Drug’ campaign against the painkiller last August, after learning that dozens of British and Irish expats had died after their immune systems were allegedly destroyed by the commonly prescribed drug. A trio of families told us how their relatives had died unnecessarily in excruciating pain. Yet, authorities refused to take our claims seriously, despite the evidence being backed up by local doctors. Fortunately, Ali-
KILL THE DRUG
cante-based Garcia del Campo spotted our campaign, while working with an Irish expat who suddenly became critically ill with sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis after taking the drug. He died later in November. Voted BEST
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Mijas Costa See page 18 xx
Save our home!
Vol. 11 Issue 271
679702_DFS_SPANISH_BOX_AD_40x40_MIJAS_COSTA.indd 23/02/2017 11:31 1
EXCluSiVE By laurence dollimore
A BRITISH expat couple are fighting to save their Malaga home from demolition over a technicality. Gill and Bob Ward, both 74, have been locked in a battle with their town hall, which claims their house in Almayate is illegal. Just yesterday the retired couple from Cornwall were given
Continues on Page 8
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THE Olive Press is giving away three pairs of tickets for two of the best concerts on the Costa del Sol this summer... And all you have to do is answer two simple questions! Michael Bolton takes to the stage for an emotive end of season night at Marbella’s Puente Romano on August 10, while Estepona is set for its biggest rock concert in years with mammoth
Doctors and dentists join Olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil EXCluSiVE By laurence dollimore
one month to knock down their only property (pictured above). In a court order seen by the Olive Press, the Wards are warned they will be held criminally responsible if they refuse. “I don’t know what to do anymore, I’m at the end of my tether” Gill told the Olive Press, “I’m totally exhausted from the whole ordeal.” The retired pair, who have now spent thousands of euros on legal costs, bought the old farmhouse ‘in ruins’ in 2004, and were given permission from Velez-Malaga town hall to rebuild it. But when the original wall collapsed of its own accord during construction, the Wards’ architect told them it would be fine and that he would let the town hall know. Unfortunately for
tribute bands Think Floyd, Deeper Purple and Whole Lotta Led rocking out the greatest hits of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin at the Plaza del Toros on August 26. For a chance to win a pair of tickets to see Bolton, just answer the question; what year was Michael Bolton born in? For the Pink Purple Zep Fest in Estepona, just tell us; Where was Jimmy Page born? Email answers to the newsdesk@theolivepress.es.
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Kill ThE drug
THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a lethal painkiller that is killing countless of unsuspecting expats. British dentists and doctors are supporting the ban after Briton Graham Ward, 75, complained to the Olive Press of how he was prescribed the deadly Nolotil drug by a dentist last week. It’s the very same drug that was blamed for killing his wife in 2006. The Marbella-based expat was furious when he was told to take the painkiller by his Spanish dentist, after suffering from a difficult abscess. His wife Mary, 59, had died after being prescribed the same drug following a double vasectomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. “Within 24 hours she was in intensive care, her white blood cell count plummeted to zero within days,” explains Graham, a former computer HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with wife, and Billy Smyth technician, from London. She never regained conscious- again. Metamizole, Nolotil is banned ness and was on a life support “He said she would be alive if in the US, the UK, Ireland and machine for FOUR months, she hadn’t taken it, but I have most of Europe, but it is prebefore spending three years heard from dozens of Brits scribed widely in Spain. fighting the impact of the and Irish who have been given Irishman William ‘Billy’ drug, which led to organ fail- it,” added Graeme. Smyth was given a five-day It is the third victim of the course of the drug in Februure. “The chief surgeon at the hos- drug the Olive Press has re- ary. pital promised me he would ported on in under a year. But when the 66-year-old renever prescribe that drug Sometimes known also as turned to a different Spanish
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Dr Nina King, of Oasis Dental Care in Marbella, fully supports the campaign, telling the Olive Press the drug is not something she prescribes. “It’s not a drug I use, I stick to safe and standard medication,” she said, “And after seeing what damage it can do, it’s a drug I won’t be using in the future.” Marbella-based private doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón Almeda also agrees the drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe the drug,” she told the Olive Press, “I have lots of British patients and I am aware of what it is capable of doing. “There needs to be a lot more research on its impact.” doctor to get a renewal in April, tests showed the drug had caused a toxic poisoning in his bone marrow and his white blood cell was dangerously low. Billy, a keen sportsman, developed sepsis and necrotising fasciitis as a result and required ‘radical surgery’ to remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life.
The dad-of-two later died from septic shock – believed to be linked to taking the Nolotil. Another British expat Hugh Wilcox was prescribed the same medication for mild shoulder pain on the Costa del Sol. He developed severe head Continues on Page 2
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679702_DFS_SPANISH_BOX_AD_40x40_MIJAS_COSTA.indd 23/02/2017 11:31 1
As the summer hordes descend, the Olive Press looks at the entourages and bloated budgets of the rich and famous who regularly holiday in Spain
STUNNER: Lopez landing on Marbs
EXCLUSIVE: Poems from Gibraltar soldier locked up in Andalucia prison for murder
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Nolotil, or Metamizol, is still one of the most popular painkillers in Spain, yet the most feared side effect is agranulocy-
tosis, a severe and rapid drop in white blood cells, which leaves patients unable to fight infections. Garcia del Campo noticed that a large number of other English
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and Irish patients had been suffering with sepsis at hospitals along the Costa Blanca. “I thought, this can’t be normal,” explained the translator, from Madrid. And after looking at patients’ notes, she found that each had one thing in common - they were all taking Nolotil. Although manufacturers list side effects such as agranulocytosis, necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis, they are considered ‘very rare’ affecting one in every 10,000. The figures did not seem to add up to Garcia del Campo so she set about doing her own research. However, no information existed in Spanish media. The only articles she could find on the drug and its lethal side effects was in the Olive Press. “I was in disbelief,” continued the Javea-based translator, who lived in the UK for 18 years. “I thought this was surely wellknown and someone was doing something about it. Except it wasn’t. “I felt I had to inform Spain Continues on Page 2
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NEWS
July 9th July 22nd 2020
Big business Radio station sees advertising surge post-lockdown
COSTA BLANCA businesses are gearing up for the new normality, a local company has reported. Big FM in Ciudad Quesada has seen a surge in clients looking to advertise again, after a three-month Coronavirus lockdown that nearly ‘killed off’ business in the Costa Blanca. So much so that station boss, Richie Sparks, has expanded the operation on the back of buoyant business confidence right across the region. “Previous clients were desperate to get back to business,” admitted the 55-year-old, “and they want listeners to realise they’re trading again.” Despite having to make cut-backs themselves during the pandemic, the station kept broadcasting to satisfy its commitment to the community. Sparks continued: “Our listeners and
local businesses are the most important thing to this station, so it’s only right that we continued - albeit on a much-reduced budget.” The Cornishman admitted: “It was such a severe lockdown, we thought many businesses would be killed off, but the resolution we’ve seen in this area is inspiring, with many being forced to diversify during the pandemic.” And such is the faith in clients’ confidence, the station has installed a brand new studio upstairs in the building it has occupied for two years. Sparks added: “With improved broadcasting facilities and our new online portal that gives listeners and businesses a one-stop-shop for all things related to the Costa Blanca, we’re really heading for the Big time.” If businesses would like to discuss different marketing options, they can call Richie Sparks on 965 997 222
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LA CULTURA What’s the Mata July 9th - July 22nd 2020
Art world up in arms over Spanish socialite’s shady dealings during crisis
CERVERA: And Mata Mua KNOWN as ‘La Misteriosa’, she has shadily presided over an art collection worth €390 million that counts Matisse, Picasso and Rodin among its 429 pieces. But now Baroness Carmen Cervera has once again stepped back into the spot-
9
waves after announcing that Mata Mua (1892) by French impressionist Paul Gaugin light, after the removal of a would no longer hang on the €40 million painting from gallery’s walls. the Thyssen Museum in Ma- At 7am on June 9, the oil candrid. vas, which features a scene The 77-year-old Barcelo- of Maori women in Tahiti, na-born socialite made finally left the Madrid museum, where it has been since 1999. Art experts wrapped the painting in acid-free tissue TOP operas from Madrid’s Royal Theatre are paper before to beamed onto a big screen on the Orihuela packing it into Costa this summer. an 82-kilo cliA season of major productions will be televised mate-controlled at the Playa Flamenca esplanade between July capsule, with 22 and August 19, in addition to live concerts the insurance at the venue. and shipping The Royal Theatre relays will start at 8:30pm costs totalling with Puccini’s Tosca beginning the season on €82,000. Wednesday July 22, with another Pucci offerCervera even ing, La Boheme being transmitted on July 29. travelled in the The other operas to be screened on the remaintruck carrying ing Wednesdays will be La Traviata, Madam the painting, Butterfly and Aida. The live on-site concerts which was acwill be on Sundays and will feature the Gines companied by Perez de la Parra Choir on July 26 and August private security 9, and the trio Moon on August 2 and August guards armed 16. Orihuela’s Culture councillor, Mar Ezcurra, with machine said: “Entry will be free of charge until the area guns. is filled up and all the appropriate health and Since 2011 the security measures will be in place.” ICON: Tosca opera ‘Thyssen colBy Charlie Smith
Seaside Arias
lection’ – named after Cervera’s late husband Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, who died in 2002 – has been loaned to the museum, with a contract renewed annually. But on December 13 last year she secured a ‘definitive export license’ for Mata Mua, granting her the right to transport the work unopposed. Government ministers salvaged a partial deal for the treasure trove of art, meaning that 425 of its pieces can still be displayed in the Capital. But this left uncertainty over four of the greatest works, which have now been removed from the museum, including Mata Mua. The trio of other 19th and 20th century classics are Degas’ Racehorses in a Landscape (1894), Monet’s Charing Cross Bridge (1899) and Hopper’s Martha Mckeen of Wellfleet (1944). Cervera has pledged in the past that she will not sell Mata Mua and recently said she is open to further negotiations with the Government.
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LA CULTURA 100 Spanish Icons 10
July 9th - July 22nd 2020
In our continuing occasional series we look at the famous names you may have heard of, but probably don’t know the fascinating history behind. As the shops open up again, we continue with one of Spain’s top designers
F
ANS of TV show Sex and the City will remember the scene when Carrie Bradshaw got mugged in New York. The mugger wanted her shoes. Carrie was outraged, they were her prized Manolo Blahniks. But did you know the iconic shoe designer hails from Spain? Who is he? Probably the most famous shoe designer of our times. Born in 1942 in Santa Cruz de la Palma in
MASTER: Manolo Blahnik at work
2. Manolo Blahnik
the Canary Islands, to a Spanish mother and Czech father who fled Prague to escape rising fascism in the 1930s. His mother’s family owned a banana plantation. He recalls having an early fixation with feet – specifically those of the lizards that invaded the gardens of his home. Manolo would shape sweet wrappers into shoes for the unsuspecting reptiles. Destined to be a designer? Well yes, except his parents had other ideas and wanted him to be a diplomat and sent him to university to study politics and law. But he rebelled, changed his course to literature and architecture and then moved to Paris to study art and set design. His friend Paloma Picasso no less introduced him to the legendary Diana Vreeland. Seeing Manolo’s sketches Vreeland took one look at high-heeled sandals decorated with ivy and cherries and told him, “Young man, stick to the extremities and make shoes!” His big break? British designer Ossie Clark asked Manolo to design shoes for his catwalk show in 1971.
OP QUICK Crossword
There was no stopping him. He made shoes for other London fashion designers, such as Jean Muir and Zandra Rhodes. With a loan of £2,000, Blahnik bought the Zapata Shoe Company from its owner and opened his own boutique. Manolo hated bulky platforms and preferred elegant, sexy shoes with skyscraper heels. It’s not just the stilettos that are eye-watering, a pair of Manolos – as they are known – start at around €800! And although they are the most gorgeous shoes on the planet, they are bloody hard to walk in. And now? He is still passionate about shoes, still designs, and has boutiques all over the world. His office is in London, but he lives in Bath in what he calls a shoe museum. He has a prototype of every pair he has designed, currently around 30,000! In 2007 he was awarded a CBE by the Queen for his contribution to British fashion. Best quote: “Men tell me that I’ve saved their marriages. It costs them a fortune in shoes, but it’s cheaper than a divorce. So I am useful!”
ICON: Carrie Bradshaw’s ‘Manolos’
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LA CULTURA
Hippy trading
A TORREVIEJA market popular with expats will finally be operating at 100% capacity this week. The sea-front Paseo de la Libertad ‘los Hippies’ site now complies with the distancing guidelines for Spain’s ‘new normal’. Direction markings and signage have been put in place, as well as regulations for the mandatory use of masks.
Researchers locate Spain’s oldest city just beyond Murcia
THE oldest city in Spain was built 5,200 years ago near Almeria, researchers have discovered. Scientists in Granada have certified the dating of Los Millares, located in Santa Fe de Mondujar, 22 kilometres north of Almeria.
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It has been confirmed by a team of archaeologists from the University of Granada as the oldest city in the country. The population, which settled 5,200 years ago and reached 1,500 inhabitants at its peak, occupied six hectares of land. The city was formed around a sacred megalithic necropolis composed of 80 monumental tombs, with a hundred individuals buried in each one of them, along with a trousseau of exotic
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BUSINESS Back in business 12
FINALLY: Ciudad Quesada road works are finished IT has taken hell and brimstone… but Ciudad Quesada’s new look main road is finally open. Following years of delays due to storms, floods and pandemics, Avenue de las Naciones is back to its best. It had suffered for many years with poor lighting, poor parking and a road surface in dire need of attention. Despite Rojales finally receiving funding and setting a January 2020 start date, early delays caused frustration among local businesses. But now, after the long enforced lockdown, businesses can look to a ‘new normal’ with wider pavements, brighter lighting and a renewed road surface. One, The Marquee Bar, is hoping for good times around the corner. “It should make Quesada a
By Simon Wade
more desirable place to visit and also to live, the new-look main street should have a real positive impact,” said boss Paula Stoneham. “A fresh start for the summer is much needed,” added Nicola Kemp, office manager at Barcelo Real Estate. Diane Webber at Johnson’s Supermarket, insisted it ‘should make a difference to all businesses that have struggled’. Kelly Aspbury. at Treasure Chest Charity Shop: added: “we’re already getting good feedback from customers, it’s just nice to see people again!” Councillor Derek Monks meanwhile admitted the delays were ‘frustrating’ and had come as Rojales couldn’t dictate the pace of the works, with the money coming from Valencia.
July 9th - July 22nd 2020
In the slow lane
Spain may never recover from pandemic, top bank warns
SPAIN’S central bank has suggested the economy will not recover from the COVID-19 pandemic until late 2022. In its annual report, the bank predicted that recovery would take years and that women, low-income workers and young people will bear the brunt of the crisis. “Spain’s economy faces the COVID-19 crisis with inequality significantly higher than before the fi-
Then the inevitable happened... Buyers were asked for an initial deposit. Why not pay it? After all, it’s the usual way to secure a home. Then it hit: the financial crisis. Many property developers and building companies went bankrupt. People’s deposits sank into the ocean, forgotten on the seabed. All that money paid in good faith disappeared… well, not completely. Did you lose money on an off-plan deposit? Please keep reading. But there’s good news... A Spanish Supreme Court ruling from 2015 obliges banks to repay the money that investors put down on off-plan properties that were sold. In other words, if you paid a deposit for an off-plan property and the developer went bankrupt, it’s the bank’s responsibility to pay it back to you. However, despite the Supreme Court ruling, the majority of banks will not pay your deposit without court proceedings. And here is where a reputable law firm, with the professional knowledge on this kind of procedure, should enter the scene.
nancial crisis of 2008. The COVID-19 crisis is having the biggest impact on vulnerable groups, which suggests further deterioration of equality,” says the report. The report details how Spain’s economy suffered its steepest losses ever in the first quarter of the year (5.2%), but that the drop is expected to be much sharper in the second quarter.
Doleful VALENCIA led the way as the region in Spain where the most people were thrown on the dole last month. Unemployment grew by 16,279 in June, the highest figure seen in all Spanish regions, followed by Andalucia with 11,009. The increase in the number of people who lost their jobs in June is staggering compared to May, when it was only 575. When compared to June 2019, that increase stands at 30%. The total number of unemployed people now stands at 485,019.
Treasure hunt It was a common scenario... People would fall in love with an offplan property (not built yet). Beautiful drawings. Maybe some good property scale models involved. A paid trip to Spain (including accommodation). A gorgeous area with more than 300 days a year of sunshine. All this combined with a powerful dream: moving to Spain one day and living a much happier life here.
By Andy McInnes
Lawyers can salvage money sunken in offplan house deposits lost after the financial crisis, write Sun Lawyers
How to salvage your sunken money... Unlike other legal services, in order to recover your money from the bank, we won’t charge you any upfront fees; only a success fee. Yes. This means: ‘no win no fee’. No surprises. No unexpected charges during the deposit recovery process. No court fees. We are so confident we can help you that we can offer you getting your money back at ‘zero risk’. This way you won’t feel you’re putting more money on an apparently ‘lost cause’. So, let us ask you, is there anything to lose from your side? No. Nothing. You won’t lose a single cent of Euro in this procedure. We will recover your money, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. What is required...? Only one thing: that you provide us with all the information you have, such as contracts, bank statements showing deposit transfers, or any receipts if the payment channels were different to bank transfers. We will go through a preliminary study to make sure we have enough documentation to start the legal process. But before the preliminary study we would love to speak with you. Would you like us to salvage your sunken money from the seabed? If so, please send us an email at admin@ sun-lawyers.com. We will get back to you shortly.
The bank predicts that unemployment in Spain will shoot up to 18.4% in the most optimistic scenario but could reach as high as 24.7% if there is a second wave of the pandemic.
Damage
“We need a growth strategy that’s integral, ambitious and based in consensus. And we have to put it into action urgently,” said Spanish central bank Director
Lovisa lost JEWELLERY group Lovisa has quit Spain due to the coronavirus lockdown. It has abandoned plans for a rapid expansion through the country and will not reopen its nine Spanish stores. The group has put the blame on a ‘disappointing’ response from landlords when it sought help on its rent bills. The company has set aside €2.03 million as an ‘impairment charge’ to cover the cost of the closure.
Pablo Hernandez de Cos in a video message. “But once the crisis comes to an end, we will find ourselves with the highest level of public debt in decades. We’ll then have to undergo deep budgetary reform that reduces debt and gives us room to face future challenges.” Spain has been operating in a post-lockdown new normal since June 21. The country has also been warned that future economic growth will be sluggish unless major reforms are enacted. Medium-term growth potential - only around 1% before the pandemic - is at risk of falling further with businesses near collapse and some sectors facing weak demand for years to come. “In this context, it’s absolutely imperative to put in place measures that compensate for the damage triggered by the crisis, to increase growth potential,” Bank of Spain chief economist Oscar Arce said.
PROPERTY Big spenders
JUST three transactions accounted for nearly half of all real estate investments in the second quarter of the year. Only €1.06 billion worth of sales were made in the period, 65% less than a year ago, according to figures from BNP Paribas Real Estate. The three major operations in the quarter included the purchase of a portfolio of 36 supermarkets from Mercadona by LCN Capital. The other two were the sale of 919 homes to AXA IM by developer Tectum, and the acquisition of an office complex by DWS in Barcelona.
July 9th - July 22nd 2020
Home truths
PROPERTY sales on the Costa Blanca fell by 65% in May as the real estate market continued to suffer in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Figures released by the College of Real Estate Property Registrars showed that 1,204 homes were sold in Alicante Province, com-
Costa Blanca homes sales plunge By Alex Trelinski
pared to 3,463 a year earlier. The national average fall was just over 53%, with 22,000 deals struck as opposed to 46,000 in May
Slash tax for new-builds
Disastrous
Lockdown has been disastrous for the real estate sector, but this was mitigated by a good start to 2020. During the first six months of the year, investment stood at €4.187 billion, 23% less than a year ago. The residential sector is emerging as one of the drivers of the recovery. Investment in the second quarter amounted to €255 million, accounting for 24% of the total. The build to rent market is gaining ground as it is seen as a relatively safe sector with great potential.
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2019. The total for the whole of the Valencian Community, including the Costa Blanca, registered a 63.7% drop over a 12 month period. The registrars added that 3,979 mortgages were handed out in May region-wide, which was an annual fall of 26.4 per cent, marginally higher than the figure for the whole of Spain at 25.8% Until State of Alarm restrictions began to be lifted across Spain in May, virtually all business with real estate agents could only be conducted online or via phone, with no home viewings possible.
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Slump
REDUCTIONS: Government urged to reduce IVA on new-builds THE Spanish Government is being urged to reduce the IVA (VAT) rate on new-build properties from an average of 10% to 4%. The APCE (Association of Promoters and Constructors in Spain) says this move would be a central pillar in a package of measures to boost the sector and stop it falling into a long-term crisis. Despite the call to action, promoters are generally optimistic about the new-build property market. The APCE does not foresee significant reductions in price but says there may be significant delays in launching new projects unless help is given, with a knock-on effect of lower employment and a lower tax take.
On the positive side, developers on the Costa Blanca say they’ve received very few cancellations on reservations at new sites, with demand being driven by foreign buyers, who are now once again able to travel to Spain. Promoters have added that any significant price reductions for new homes in holiday areas are unlikely despite the current market slump which experts view as being only temporary.
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HEALTH
July 9th - July 22nd 2020
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Changes at Torrevieja hospital will lead to longer waiting times for operations and consultations
CONCERN: Over capacity at Torrevieja Hospital HOSPITAL waiting lists are set to lengthen if management at Torrevieja hospital returns to public ownership next year, it has been claimed. Carlos Mazon, president of the Alicante Provincial Council, has called for an urgent meeting with Valencia’s president Ximo Puig to explain LIVES have been lost in Orihuela Costa because of an inadequate ambulance service, according to the town hall. Health councillor, Jose Galiano, described the current SAMU service as ‘woefully inadequate’ and claimed that suggestions for a dedicated 24-hour service have been greeted with silence. Galiano met with Valencia’s Public Health minister Isaura Navarro and the councillor said he has had ‘no response’ to his urgent plea to improve local ambulance cover. “We have a 12-hour SAMU service that is woefully inadequate and the single vehicle
By Alex Trelinski
why private contractor Ribera Salud will not have its franchise renewed in October next year. Ribera Salud runs Torrevieja Hospital as well as serving 186,000 residents in the area.
Lives at stake has to be shared with San Miguel de Salinas and Pilar de la Horadada,” he said. “The official population of the area covered is 60,000 people and that easily doubles during the summer,” he added. He believes the slow response times have caused needless deaths, many of which have involved expats, controversially waiting for ambulances.
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This includes managing all of the local health centres in the city and at places like the Orihuela Costa, Rojales, Los Montesinos, San Fulgencio and Guardamar. Mazon has written to Puig saying that the removal of Ribera would be a ‘serious mistake’ and would be a backward step in the quality of healthcare provided to local residents. He quoted figures from the Alzira health area in Valencia Province, which returned to public management in April 2018, leading to a worsening of the service. Statistics indicated longer waiting times for operations and consultations coupled with increased spending. Torrevieja health services have been managed by Ribera Salud since 2006 in a public-private partnership. Valencia’s Health Minister, Ana Barcelo, last month reiterated her government’s policy to end the franchise and must officially notify the private body by this October.
FOOD & DRINK Feeding the many
Spanish charity to benefit from global challenge A SPANISH charity is set to benefit from downloads of an e-book featuring recipes from the world’s best 50 restaurants. #ChefsForSpain has served more than 1,500,000 meals in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, A Coruña, Sevilla, Cadiz, Huelva, Jaen and Malaga, The team cooks from 15 different kitchens with the help of more than 100 chefs and 4,500
volunteers. Every day, #ChefsForSpain distributes meals to the disadvantaged from more than 150 distribution points as well as making thousands of door-todoor deliveries thanks to the collaboration with the Post Office, local fire departments and home delivery companies such as Glovo. The e-cookbook is called Home Comforts: sim-
UNSUSPECTING wine lovers in Spain have been left with a sour taste in their mouths after falling victim to an Italian fake wine scam. Empty bottles of expensive wines were refilled with low quality plonk and marketed online as genuine ones ‘on offer.’ The Italian Carabinieri police, supported by Europol, carried out raids in eight Italian provinces (Avellino, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Brescia, Como, Foggia, Pisa, Prato and Rome) to bring down the counterfeiting network. The wines were sold in Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the United States, often ending up in the glasses of unsuspecting wine bar and restaurant customers.
July 9th July 22nd 2020
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FOOD: For vulnerable ple lockdown recipes from the world’s best chefs and bartenders, and features meals that some of the world’s best chefs cooked for their families at home during lockdown. It has been produced to benefit the 50 Best for Recovery Programme announced earlier this year by the organisation that ranks the best restaurants in the world.
Sour taste Empty bottles were harvested from restaurants by two people working in the food industry. These bottles were then refilled with cheap wines bought online or at discount stores. Afterwards, the bottles were re-corked and sealed with counterfeit foil tops. Once contact with a buyer was established via a major e-commerce platform, the counterfeiters extended promotional offers, setting prices way cheaper then authentic bottles would cost. A magnum (1.5 l) of some of the genuine wines often cost more than €1,000.
The
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FINAL WORDS
Better safe than selfie THE Guardia Civil has released a video warning about the dangers of taking a selfie and how to make sure you don’t die in the process.
It doesn’t fit THREE women have ended up in the hospital after a fight broke out in a Zara fitting room in Galicia.
Stolen cock SIX men will be going on trial for the murder of a man in Malaga province who had supposedly stolen their rooster used for cock fights.
Mums the word Your expat
voice in Spain
COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE Vol. 1 Issue 18 www.theolivepress.es July 9th - July 22nd 2020
Hardened criminals THE elderly members of a British gang face stiff sentences after being caught selling fake Viagra-style drugs. The organisation was allegedly led by a 72-year-old
Pensioner expat gang busted for selling fake Viagra-style drugs British man who lived in Marbella with his 65-yearold wife.
Size does matter A DEFLATED Romeo put in an official complaint when he bought condoms that turned out to be too small for him. He had purchased what turned out to be counterfeit Durex from a grocery store in the Barcelona district of Les Corts. But when it came time to use them, he found himself in a tight spot. On unwrapping the offending articles, he discovered they were far too short for him - not something he was used to with the genuine brand. So he decided to stand up and be counted and headed off to put in an official complaint with the Ministry of Health’s Spanish Medical Agency (AEMPS). They in turn called in the Mossos d’Esquadra Catalan regional police who have reported two men to the courts for allegedly distributing the dodgy condoms.
He had previously been arrested in 2012 for selling the drugs in person, which were tagged as for curing erectile dysfunction. Now, he and his entire organisation have been detained for selling the pills from an online pharmacy. All members of the gang were British, apart from one American and they were all in their sixties or seventies. The drugs were sourced from a factory in India and imported via the UK. They had not been through required health and quality controls and were not approved for sale in Spain. A parallel police operation has closed down a similar online site based in Valencia, with 33 arrests being made across both raids. All members have been detained for crimes against
public health, with the police investigating if any of the buyers suffered health problems. Both gangs had set up websites that were meant to look like legitimate pharmacies and offered miraculous pills that would eradicate erectile dysfunction. In Spain it is illegal to sell pharmaceuticals online, unless your business is a registered online pharmacy. It is thought that across the two gangs, they had made over €3 million in profit from the fake drugs. Both gangs then proceeded to launder that money in order to buy luxury items and invest in cryptocurrencies.
A YOUNG lad who jetted out to Mallorca without giving his mum the heads up only revealed his plans when he was sat on the runway. Keiran Lindsay, 18, had come up with a crafty way to join his eight mates for a week of Magaluf fun after his mum turned down his pleas to go. His plans were almost foiled when his mum asked where he was while in a taxi enroute to Glasgow Airport. However, the quick thinking electrician responded with a cheeky selfie pretending that he was tucked up safely in bed. And once on the plane he decided to bite the bullet, sending a group photo reading - ‘Do you really think I’d miss Maga with the boys?’. He soon faced the music after touching down in Palma receiving over 500 messages and 30 missed calls from his irate mum who branded him an ‘immature f***g idiot’ and ‘that he better not come back riddled with an STD.’ Although having the best week of his life, he did have to take several FaceTime calls with his mum every day.