Student, 20, gatecrashed high-ranking events and swindled thousands from multi-nationals by posing as top diplomat and politician
Student, 20, gatecrashed high-ranking events and swindled thousands from multi-nationals by posing as top diplomat and politician
A 20-YEAR-OLD man defrauded over 25,000 euros out of top corporations by passing as a National Intelligence Centre diplomat, a leader of the PP at national government level, head of the finance office at the presidential headquarters, Guardia Civil police chief and numerous other high-ranking public officials.
Francisco Nicolás G.I., known as Nicolás - a student who in real life has no connection with politics, State secrets or any other government bodies - managed to get front-row seats at restricted-audience events including King Felipe VI's coronation, travelled to college in chauffeur-driven cars, had his photo taken with ex-president José María Aznar and his wife, Madrid's mayor Ana Botella, and former regional president of Madrid Esperanza Aguirre.
The above photograph is from his Facebook page and shows him in the line-up for the post-coronation greetings, which he managed to gatecrash by pretending to be a National Intelligence diplomat.
He even possessed a police siren to enable him to bypass red traffic lights and gridlocks, and recently contacted the lawyer working for ex-regional president of Catalunya Jordi Pujol and his family over their alleged multi-million money-laundering charges, pretending he was from the National Intelligence Centre and had been sent by the government's deputy presidential department.
He is believed to have made over 25,000 euros by convincing some of Spain's largest enterprises – many of which figure on the Ibex 35 list – of his powerful connections and persuading them to invest in lucrative property funds, which in practice did not exist.
Francisco managed to spread a rumour around the town of Ribadeo in the province of Lugo, in the north-western region of Galicia, that King Felipe VI was due to visit and stop for lunch – a rumour which led to a massive police presence in the area for security reasons and the mayor visiting the restaurant in question to greet the Monarch.
Given that the rumours were false, the King left everyone perplexed when he did not turn up and the local and regional press reported that he had not been able to make it because he was 'indisposed'.
The wily youngster was a front-row spectator with a VIP ticket at no cost for Real Madrid FC matches on a regular basis, reports claim.
Police began investigating him when he failed to get into a party organised by the US ambassador in Spain and did not succeed in an attempt to contact the management at the Royal Household.
They found he had forged police badges, National Intelligence Centre reports and various other official stamps and papers to appear authentic.
Judges are baffled as to how he managed to live the high life for so long and nobody realised he was an imposter.
He has been released with charges and without bail.
Court psychiatrists consider he may have a recognised personality disorder involving genuine delusions of grandeur and megalomaniacal tendencies.
