LONDON (AP) — A British prosecutor says a gang of fraudsters bilked the Olympic Development Authority out of 2.3 million pounds ($3.6 million).
James Dawes told Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday that the conmen contacted the ODA, which is responsible for planning and building venues for the London 2012 Olympics, and pretended to work for construction firm Skanska.
Dawes said the fraudsters told the ODA that Skanska was changing its bank account details and directed all future payments into a new account.
The ODA then paid 2.3 million pounds into that account, which Dawes said was held by the group’s alleged ringleader, Ansumana Kamara.
Eight co-conspirators are on trial at the court for allegedly laundering the cash. Kamara has already appeared in court about the matter.
