Latest news with #BureauDeChange
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Brazen Asda conman walked out of store with £40k and was never found
A brazen conman who walked out of Asda with a £40,000 stash remains at large a decade later. The mystery man, who was wearing a smart suit, strutted into the store and posed as a senior member of staff. He smoothly slid behind the counter of the Bureau de Change at the Trafford Park store in Manchester and began serving customers. READ MORE: Bare-knuckle boxer who beat up OAP 'regrets nothing' as 'nobody threatens my family' Store staff also spoke with the 'colleague' as he handed out cash and traveller's cheques. After biding his time, the crook used a crucial piece of inside information to strike - the safe code - before calmly walking off with tens of thousands of pounds. The crime took place on July 29, 2015 - but was not public knowledge until the Manchester Evening News broke the story a few weeks later on August 5, having received a tip-off. Astonishing CCTV footage - which can be viewed below - was released by police, with the scenes later compared to those from the Hollywood blockbuster 'Catch Me If You Can', starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The minute-long clip shows the man walk into the kiosk clutching a plastic bag and a tablet device, plus a set of white earphones. He then chats to a customer who approaches for help, and later plays with a mobile phone he holds under the Bureau de Change kiosk before fiddling around with drawers under the counter. A source previously told the MEN: "As the woman in the Bureau de Change was leaving he slipped into the kiosk. "He started to serve customers, just giving them wedges of cash, as he clearly had no idea about exchange rates. "He apparently wore a glove, knew the code for the safe, punched it in, and was able to empty it. "At one point a senior member of the Asda staff walked passed while he was in the kiosk and even spoke to him but he just kept up the pretence - as cool as you like. "Some of the customers got an early Christmas bonus too - getting much more than they should have done. "Apparently the code to the bureau safe had not been changed for ages. "He must have been in a few times and done his homework." At the time, a £2,000 reward was offered to anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the conman, who was described as Asian, in his mid 20s or early 30s and slim. The Mirror reports that he had a suspiciously full head of hair, and was later suspected to be wearing a wig and fake beard. The man had never worked in the store, according to Greater Manchester Police. This week, the force told local media there had not been any arrests, and all intelligence on the case had dried up in 2015
Zawya
21-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Naira, crude oil prices record gains, spark economic hope
As Nigerians gear up for the Easter holidays, the nation's economy has received a boost from two critical fronts—the strengthening of the Naira and a notable rebound in crude oil prices. The dual gains come at a crucial time, offering a glimmer of hope amid ongoing concerns about inflation, food prices, and the broader economic outlook. The Naira, which has experienced considerable volatility in recent months, firmed up against the US dollar in the parallel market. On Saturday, Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in Lagos reported that the local currency was being sold at N1,610 per dollar, up from N1,620 on Friday. The buying rate stood at N1,595, indicating an N10 gain within 24 hours. Operators attributed the improvement to increased demand for the Naira, as Nigerians prepared for the Easter festivities. The official exchange rate, which closed for the holiday weekend on Thursday, stood at N1,599.93 per dollar. On the global stage, crude oil markets have also staged a recovery, with prices climbing steadily throughout the week. Brent crude, the international benchmark, surged by 7 percent to reach approximately $68 per barrel—driven by a combination of OPEC+ production cuts, fresh U.S. sanctions on Iran, and encouraging macroeconomic data. Nigeria's Bonny Light crude followed suit, posting a 1.95 percent weekly gain and closing at $68.60 per barrel. The upward trend in oil prices has been underpinned by shifting geopolitical dynamics. A major catalyst was the U.S. government's announcement of new sanctions targeting Chinese firms involved in the purchase of Iranian crude, a move that is expected to tighten global supply chains and introduce fresh uncertainty in oil markets. Simultaneously, optimism surrounding potential trade agreements between the United States and the European Union added further momentum to the price rally. Adding to the bullish sentiment, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its monthly oil market report, revising global supply growth forecasts downward. The IEA now expects global oil supply to grow by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, a reduction of 260,000 bpd from its previous projection. The cutback is largely attributed to weaker-than-expected output from major producers such as the United States and Venezuela. During Thursday's trading session, oil prices continued their upward trajectory. Brent crude futures gained $2.11, or 3.2 percent, closing at $67.96 per barrel. Similarly, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures appreciated by $2.21, or 3.54 percent, settling at $64.68 per barrel. Analysts noted that these gains were partially supported by heightened expectations for a trade pact between the U.S. and the EU, as well as ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Despite the favorable trends in the oil and forex markets, Nigeria's external reserves continued to slide. As of Wednesday, the country's gross foreign exchange reserves had declined by 0.29percent on a week-on-week basis, standing at $37.89 billion. The persistent drawdown reflects the impact of sluggish FX inflows, which have constrained the Central Bank of Nigeria's ability to replenish its reserves and manage currency volatility effectively. Still, the recent developments have sparked cautious optimism. With improved oil revenues and a firmer Naira, there is growing hope that inflationary pressures—particularly on food and transport—could ease in the coming weeks. As Nigerians celebrate Easter, the economic momentum offers a much-needed respite and a potential springboard for greater stability in the months ahead. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
