OLIVE PRESS
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MALLORCA
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Vol. 5 Issue 115
Brits in the frame AT least three British expats are under investigation into a €50 million fraud case following police raids across Mallorca. The British landlord of a crew flat in Santa Catalina, which was raided by armed Spanish and German officers has been questioned in relation to the fraud. Others under investigation include two Britons with a business in Puerto Portals that may have been used almost exclusively to launder large amounts of money. The simultaneous raids in Mallorca and various other European cities, primarily in Germany, were led by the Prosecutor's Office in Palma in a joint operation with German police. British yachtie Dandelion Sharp, described the terrifying raid by police at the crew house in Palma when her door was kicked down by police with assault rifles and pistols. “There were about 20 of them, some in uniform armed with rifles and others in plain clothes with hand guns,” described deckhand Sharp, 21, from Somerset. “I was really scared and had no idea what was happening and whether they intended to harm me. It was like waking up in a movie.”
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The exact nature of the scam has not yet been revealed, but it is understood that the international network deceived customers with products online that did not exist. The ‘frontman’ of the fraud on the island is another foreign citizen, whose nationality has not yet been divulged, who was allegedly paid €1,000 per month to act as the CEO of a large international investment company. But it’s reported he was unaware of any fraudulent activity. The man lives in the Gomila district of Palma, one of the properties raided. Police sources indicate that he is an alcoholic and was used by the fraudsters who had power of attorney. Various companies in Ireland were opened and closed using his name, but he claimed not to know about them. In February 2020, Germany requested the man’s extradition.
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Get set for rush of bookings from the UK as the traffic light system is finally scrapped THE UK’s controversial traffic light system will be officially scrapped next month - and airlines have already reported a surge in bookings. Ryanair reports an explosion of bookings to Spain after news broke of the end of the hated COVID testing system. In what is excellent news for expat businesses in the Balearics, this weekend is set to be the busiest for UK bookings since 2019. “We are seeing extraordinary bookings for the mid term break. All our flights to Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain are filling up very rapidly,” said Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary. Popular destinations like Palma, Calvia
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By Isha Sesay
and Ibiza are now set to see a healthy autumn and winter season. The majority of their bars and restaurants rely on British tourists to see them through the difficult winter months. The current red, amber and green country rankings will be replaced with one red list only from October 4. It also means a significant loosening of travel rules for people entering and leaving the UK, from around Europe. Passengers who are fully vaccinated will also no longer need to present a negative test to travel into England from countries not on the red list. See page 5 The red list, which features 62 countries at present, will be reduced
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to 56 with the removal of among others Kenya, Egypt and Sri Lanka. The change will initially only apply to England, with the Scottish government announcing it will have its own set of rules. The Welsh government has also said that it would first need to carefully consider the measures. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said it was not possible to scrap the system sooner because scientific advice did not favour it.
Lower cost
He said the changes would mean a ‘simpler, more straightforward system, one with less testing and lower costs, allowing more people to travel, see loved ones or conduct business around the world while providing a boost for the travel industry.’ British demand for foreign holidays is now expected to reach its highest level since 2019 after the main barrier for travel to Spain was removed.