Fraudster posing as Lewandowski’s lawyer dupes Barcelona €1m – Newstrends
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Fraudster posing as Lewandowski’s lawyer dupes Barcelona €1m

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Fraudster posing as Lewandowski’s lawyer dupes Barcelona €1m

Barcelona have reportedly fallen victim to a sophisticated fraud attempt, losing €1 million (£830,000) to a scammer posing as someone associated with star striker Robert Lewandowski’s agent.

Lewandowski, who was signed by Barcelona from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022 for an initial fee of €45 million (£37 million), has since become a key player, scoring 71 goals in 106 matches.

However, behind the scenes, Barcelona faced a serious issue when a fraudster exploited the high-profile transfer.

Following Lewandowski’s move, Barcelona was contacted by someone claiming to be working with his agent, Pini Zahavi.

The fraudster, using the fake identity of Michael Hermanus Gerardus Demon, posed as Lewandowski’s lawyer and demanded €1 million to be transferred to a Cypriot bank account.

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Despite the persistence of the fraudster, Barca eventually agreed to make the payment, sending the money to an account at Banc de Xipre.

Fortunately, the bank’s compliance department flagged the transaction as suspicious and froze the funds, preventing the fraudster from accessing them.

An investigation by Cadena SER revealed that the fraudster had no prior banking history with the Cypriot bank, and when asked to verify their identity, Barcelona reached out to Zahavi, who confirmed he had no knowledge of the individual. The bank then permanently froze the funds.

‘Mr. Demon’ later threatened to report Barcelona to UEFA and demanded an additional €250,000 (£207,000) for his silence. However, Barcelona successfully recovered the €1 million from the Cypriot bank.

Despite the close call, Catalan police have not launched a criminal investigation since the club has not filed a formal complaint.

Barcelona confirmed to Cadena SER that the club had been targeted in an attempted fraud, which has led them to strengthen their anti-fraud protocols.

Fraudster posing as Lewandowski’s lawyer dupes Barcelona €1m

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Neymar confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last

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Neymar Junior

Neymar confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last

Neymar said that the 2026 World Cup will be his last adding he was confident that Brazil would qualify for the finals in North America.

“I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it,” the 32-year-old attacker, who has not played for Brazil in more than a year, told CNN.

He also told the American news network in the interview published on Tuesday that he would not rule out reuniting with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at U.S. club Inter Miami.

“Obviously, playing again with  Messi and Suarez would be incredible,” Neymar said at an award ceremony in Dubai.

Brazil have struggled in South American World Cup qualifying.

After 12 of the 18 rounds, they are fifth in the 10-nation group. But the top six are guaranteed places in the World Cup and Brazil are five points ahead of Bolivia in seventh.

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“I have a lot of faith in the team, in the players who are emerging, who are young,” he said. “We’re not in a position where we would like to be.”

“I think together we can achieve something very big. We have a year, a year-and-a-half to work, to do the right things to reach the World Cup,” Neymar said.

Neymar started Brazil’s first four qualifying games but went off injured at half time as they lost to Uruguay in October 2023. After knee surgery he was out for a year.

He returned for his Saudi club Al Hilal with two brief appearances in October and November but injured a hamstring and has not played since. He said he is targeting the World Cup.

“I want to be there, I’m going to try to do my best, to work very hard so that I can be with the Brazilian team.”

Neymar confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last

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EFL Cup: Tottenham edge Liverpool 1-0 in semi-final first leg

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EFL Cup: Tottenham edge Liverpool 1-0 in semi-final first leg

Tottenham Hotspur claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory against EFL Cup holders Liverpool in the first leg of their semi-final clash, securing just their second clean sheet in 12 matches and gaining a crucial edge in the tie.

New signing Antonin Kinský made his debut in goal, the second Spurs goalkeeper to do so in consecutive matches, as manager Ange Postecoglou continued to navigate an injury-hit squad.

Despite these challenges, Tottenham started brightly against the Premier League leaders. However, their momentum was disrupted when Rodrigo Bentancur was stretchered off after a lengthy stoppage.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah had a rare chance midway through the half, dragging a shot wide, as both sides struggled to find rhythm in a first half punctuated by injuries, including one to Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah. The teams went into the break at 0-0, leaving much to play for in the second half.

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Postecoglou, who has yet to see a goalless draw since taking charge in July 2023, nearly witnessed a breakthrough early in the second half. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s hesitation under pressure from Lucas Bergvall led to Pedro Porro attempting an audacious chip, which narrowly missed.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot responded with a triple substitution, introducing Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The latter came close to scoring, only to see his shot cleared off the line by Spurs defender Radu Drăgușin.

The game seemed destined for a stalemate until the final moments when Tottenham found a decisive moment. Dominic Solanke chased a long ball before setting up Bergvall, who slotted home his first goal for Spurs, sending the home crowd into raptures.

The late strike ended Liverpool’s nine-match unbeaten streak in the competition and handed Tottenham a slender advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield.

With the second leg looming, Spurs are now just one game away from ending their 17-year trophy drought, dating back to their 2007/08 League Cup triumph.

Meanwhile, Liverpool face a daunting task to overturn the deficit, having suffered their first away defeat since April.

EFL Cup: Tottenham edge Liverpool 1-0 in semi-final first leg

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Ancelotti defends Vinicius ahead of Super Cup

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Ancelotti defends Vinicius ahead of Super Cup

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr is available to play in the Spanish Super Cup, despite his recent two-match suspension, and on Wednesday manager Carlo Ancelotti continued to defend his player despite the club losing their appeal.

Vinicius was sent off for slapping Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in Friday’s LaLiga match, and after an appeal, the Spanish FA suspended the striker for two league games, clearing him for Thursday’s Super Cup semi-final against Mallorca.

Ancelotti had been confident of winning the appeal, believing it to be a yellow card offence, and also said that Vinicius is under enormous mental stress due to previous incidents of racist abuse directed at him in Spain.

The manager still believes the suspension decision was wrong.

“We are delighted with Vinicius in every aspect,” Ancelotti told a press conference ahead of Thursday’s game in Jeddah.

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“Both he and I hear what happens on the pitch. I keep saying that it is difficult to be Vinicius. The sanction is not correct.

“When you talk about Vinicius’ provocation, you deflect the shot from the insults he receives.”

Real have already played Mallorca this season, when they were held to a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the campaign, and Ancelotti is happy that their Super Cup tie will go to penalties without extra time should they end level again.

“We know the opponent very well and they know us. It’s going to be very competitive, they cost us a lot in LaLiga. They have good characteristics and can fight for the game,” Ancelotti said.

“You think you will play a good game and win it. If you don’t win, there’s the penalty shootout.

“It changes a lot. It avoids extra time, which can be more complicated to manage.”

The winners will face either Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao, who play in Wednesday’s semi-final, in the final on Sunday.

 

Ancelotti defends Vinicius ahead of Super Cup

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