Bogus Polish prince convicted of fraud

Paloma Lago: photo - palomalago.es

Wojciech Zaleski, who claimed that he was descended from Vlad the Impaler (the Wallachian monarch who inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula) has also been ordered to compensate the actress 140,000 euro (589,770 zloty), the sum which he originally extracted from his victim.

Zaleski, who had been in a relationship with the actress and television presenter, obtained the money by persuading Lago to take part in what was billed as a highly lucrative investment.

However, the money disappeared.

The defendant, who also claimed that he was the owner of a polo team, declared during the case that he had intended to return the entire sum of money to Lago.

He also stated that he himself was a victim, because many members of Spanish high society had broken off ties with him since the actress filed the case. (nh)

Source: IAR