Fake sheikh heist ends after jewels recovered

Spanish police said yesterday they had recovered €6 million (£5.4m) in jewels stolen in a bizarre crime in the eastern city of Valencia.

A fake Arab sheikh had handed over stacks of euros to a jeweller by placing them in the drawers of desk at a business centre, but a small man hidden inside switched them with stacks in which only the first and last notes were real, police said.

Both parties then went back to the jewellery shop where the gems were stored in order to complete the transaction. But when the jeweller tried to inspect the money again, the bogus sheikh and another assistant accompanying him roughed her up, threatened to kill her, and fled with the loot.

Italian authorities last week announced the discovery of €6m worth of the jewels in a hotel strong box in Milan. Yesterday's Spanish police statement said the jewels were back with Spanish authorities and gave details of how the 2009 con and robbery was pulled off.

Seven people from the former Yugoslavia have been arrested in the case - in Switzerland, France and Italy - and extradited to Spain.

The police statement said the gang won the confidence of the Valencia jeweller three years before the theft by having two members who were impeccably dressed and spoke Italian buy nearly €20,000 in jewels from her.

In 2009 they contacted her again saying a wealthy Arab sheikh wanted to buy €10m in gems for one of his wives.

At an initial meeting at a Valencia hotel, the fake sheikh and a man posing as his secretary reached a deal with the jeweller on what to buy, and to pay in cash at a nearby business centre. The con and robbery took place a few days later.