Tricky maneuver leaves footballer Romario out USD 4.5 million

The celebrated Brazilian soccer player Romario has fallen victim to a Polish swindler, Petr O. Mikhal Blayersky, a prosecutor for the suburban district of Lublin, made the announcement Wednesday after interrogating the victim.

Preliminary information indicates that Romario trusted the swindler with USD 4.85 million-for what purpose, the representative of the prosecutor's office declined to reveal on grounds that it must be kept confidential for purposes of the investigation. As reported by PAP, Petr O., 36, himself revealed while in custody in Lublin in February that, acting as financial consultant for Romario, he had helped him make profitable investments from which at a certain point he took as a reward USD 4.85 million.

At the time of his arrest, authorities found several fake passports, health certificates, a diploma as an economist and a large quantity of commercial paper in his home.