They claim he ran off with as much as €1 million euro. Two octogenarian sisters from Loulé spent a decade entrusting their finances to a “very friendly” bank employee from the local branch of Banco Popular – only to discover their accounts were run dry and the man had suddenly skipped off to Africa.
“He seemed such a nice man,” 87-year-old Rolanda Silva told Correio da Manhã when the scandal hit two years ago. “He promised us such high interest that we sold two houses, the car, jewellery and even antique furniture.” The women had opened a joint bank account at Banco Popular in 2001.
Now the man, named as L.F., has returned from Africa and been found living with his mother in Loulé.
No indication of the million euros allegedly stolen from the sisters seems immediately apparent as the newspaper writes that L.F. – described as a fun-loving character who enjoyed giving parties – has a house in his name that has been seized by the bank.
The former bank employee has now appeared in court and is once again free, pending trial, on the understanding that he will stay in the country.
Investigating the case, CM writes that L.F. used to run the swimming section of the town’s sports club Louletano Desportivo.
“The authorities believe that part of the money was spent organising parties,” writes CM.
“As to the rest, according to friends, even as a teenager, L.F. liked music and organising parties. He got to the stage where he said he would like to be a DJ.”
Questioned as to whether it would be reimbursing the sisters’ lost fortune, Banco Popular is reported to have told CM that it is “willing to collaborate with the authorities” when the need arises.
