Rockefeller Redux

THE ENTRY

Darkly handsome French national Cyril Rouhani landed in Boston in 2007, having allegedly scammed more than $100,000 in Thailand. Victims said his method was simple: Get people to invest in fake businesses, and pocket it all. 

THE PITCH 

Rouhani's new Boston acquaintances claim he tried to prove he was legit by flashing bank statements and bragging about a condo at the InterContinental hotel. He talked about opening a champagne and caviar bar at the Mandarin Oriental, even scoring a meeting with Mandarin developer Robin Brown.

THE PLAY

Brown quickly had doubts: "He was very nice, but he couldn't substantiate who he was." Rouhani’s friend Leo Dertouzos wasn't so lucky. He says he was hit up for $3,000, ostensibly for a medical procedure for Rouhani's baby, and never saw the money again.

AU REVOIR

When Dertouzos checked public records, he says, he found that Rouhani owned no real estate. Dertouzos confronted him and then alerted police. Boston Municipal Court issued a summons for a hearing, but Rouhani never appeared; now there's a warrant out for his arrest. Via e-mail, Rouhani denied all allegations. Word is, he's doing well and living in France.