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The fabulous Alhambra fortress in Granada, jewel of Islamic architecture in Europe, has been swindled out of millions of euros by a ticket scam, allegedly hatched by its doorkeepers, travel agencies, a tour guide and a bank.
Spain's most spectacular tourist landmark was almost brought to its knees by an 8 million ($19.5 million) fraud, criminal investigators reported.
Up to 50 people are implicated in the scam, which involved 800,000 faked or unauthorised entry tickets doled out over three years.
An estimated three million people visit the Alhambra every year. But not all receipts were finding their way into its coffers. The fraud has reportedly plunged the institution into a crisis bordering on bankruptcy.
Members of the Alhambra's staff, a senior guide and the BBVA bank are accused of selling tickets to unauthorised travel agents, or dishing them out indiscriminately.
- INDEPENDENT
