Makkah police have arrested an African in his fifties after he was found to be in possession of over $1 billion in forged money, said Col. Aati Al-Qurashi, media spokesman for Makkah police.
The suspect was arrested at a furnished apartment in the Azizia District and referred to authorities for further investigation, according to Al-Qurashi.
The man reportedly managed to initiate dealings with several businessmen after pretending to be a former envoy.
The man told these entrepreneurs that he could not deposit cash at banks due to security concerns at home, security sources said.
He evoked sympathy in several victims, who helped him secure real estate units in Makkah near the Grand Mosque.
Man held with forged $1bn
