According to reports from Italy today (Gazetta and Il Tempo), domestic giants Lazio were apparently victims of an e-mail scam back in 2014, when they transferred a 2 million euro instalment for the purchase of Stefan de Vrij into another bank account which they thought to be Feyenoord’s. The Rotterdam outfit of course didn’t receive the money, which lead to investigators’ involvement in the case. Lazio were apparently mislead by an e-mail that they thought originated from Feyenoord’s end.
You wouldn’t think that modern day big football clubs would fall for an e-mail scam where they transfer money to the wrong bank account, but there you go. De Vrij, signed back in 2014 on a four year deal, will leave the Biancocelesti this summer, with Inter touted as his most likely destination, but with the likes of Barcelona and Man Utd also interested in the Dutch international.
Scottish club Hamilton Academical were victims to a similar vishing scam last year, with nearly £1m taken out of the club’s bank accounts, requiring directors to put in personal money in order to ensure the club’s survival