CINEMA DEL SOL
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FREE Vol. 18 Issue 453 www.theolivepress.es September 18th - October 1st 2024
A COSTA del Sol train is one step closer after two ‘working groups’ were formed to develop the ambitious project this week. The transport ministry announced it will include representatives from Madrid, the Junta, local town halls and relevant stakeholders in the meetings. One group will focus on the long-term vision of the coastal train from Malaga to Algeciras, while the other will address shorter-term mobility improvements. The groups are part of a broader effort to assess the viability of a new railway line to the Campo de Gibraltar. The formation of the groups follows a summit in July where it was agreed that smaller, more focused teams should drive forward planning.
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The second group will focus on improving transport links along the coast in the short and medium-term, recognising that the railway is a long way off – if it ever happens at all. Secretary of State for Transport, Jose Antonio Santano, was optimistic that all the power brokers along the coast are finally pulling in the same direction. "We are moving in the right direction, working collaboratively with the Junta, local councils, and the Provincial Council to improve transport in the region," he said. He added that the government is ready to convene the first meetings of both groups in the coming weeks. The government has also confirmed plans to tender a feasibility study for the railway project by 2025.
EXPAT Airbnb owners have called in police after losing more than €60,000 to an alleged Costa del Sol con artist. Fabricio Anton is accused of pocketing the earnings from multiple holiday lets after being hired to manage them. The charming Argentinian is said to have targeted ‘vulnerable’ women renting west of Estepona. At least seven victims based in Manilva have come forward to the Olive Press, claiming to have lost a total of €61,900. They said they were taken in by Anton, aka Fabri, who sold himself as an ‘honest, family man’ and was working freelance for a string of property management companies in the area. Julie and Jon Laker, owners of Fairydust, claim they have lost €47,000 to the alleged scammer when they were forced to pay back various victims. “As soon as we became suspicious of his working practices, we acted immediately, terminating use of his services and removing all access,” explained Julie. “We notified all our clients, other companies and the police.” She added: “Until a full police investigation is completed, no one can be sure when he started scamming people.”
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EXPOSED: The scammer who ‘robbed’ expat Airbnb owners of more than €60,000 and ruined countless breaks
By Yzabelle Bostyn
Natali Nikitina, a 45-year-old croupier based in London, reported losses of €5,000 in just four months after Fabri failed to transfer the payments of guests staying in her holiday home in Casares. At first, everything went well and she agreed to pay him €700 per year, plus 20% of each rental booking. However, she soon realised something was amiss when the rental calendar was showing occupancy but no money was sent to her. When she confronted him, Fabri told her ‘his accountant’ had ‘run off with the money’. A few weeks later, she checked a security camera installed at her flat and to her horror realised there were men staying there despite no booking on the calendar. This time, Fabri claimed it was a ‘last minute’ booking, again insisting he was an ‘honest, family man’. Not believing him she flew in from the UK to find the group of men still staying in the property.
CONNED: Natali (left) lost €5,000 to Fabri (above) while another victim lives in Casares del Sol While ‘afraid’ she bravely entered and removed their belongings, before changing the locks. Another British owner Leigh-Anne Bingley, who lives in Devon, told the Olive Press she has lost €2,400 in rentals from her Duquesa flat. Although Leigh-Anne had intended to use her property as a holiday let, Fabri rented it as a family home, giving the
tenants a ‘fake contract’. She grew suspicious when the tenants overstayed their welcome and refused to leave, stating they had a rental agreement. “I was in a total state,” she explained, “Not only had he not paid me but he was scamming the renters too.” She eventually managed to take their stuff out and had the locks changed. “Fabri needs to be stopped and exposed,” she insisted this week. Loli, a 55-year-old Spaniard, claims she lost over €2,000 at her Sotogrande apartment. “Fabri likes to target older, forAll you need to eign women because he thinks know now they won’t know what to do,” she told the Olive Press. See page 21 the kids’ “He just loves money, he new term thinks all the money he sees is his,” Loli said. has started While she along with the other victims have reported Fabri to the police in Manilva, so far nothing has been done. “What annoys me the most is the lack of action from the police, it's a total injustice. But we are warriors, I will feel better when I know he can’t do it to anyone else.” The Olive Press arranged to *Data extracted from process closure surveys after using our roadside assistance and breakdown meet Antonservices. for comment but See pages 37 & 39 he failed to turn up at a meet*Data extracted from process closure surveys after using our roadside assistance and breakdown services. ing, saying his lawyer had ‘adTheOlivePress-256x170-Multi2404.indd 1 vised him not to speak’.
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