PHOTO: Westpac has doubts about Bill Papas’ claims that he owns $260,000 in assets. (Facebook)
Bill Papas, the man accused of defrauding Westpac, Société Générale and Sumitomo out of $400 million, has said he has been suffering from “extreme anxiety and panic attacks” as a result of being sued.
Key points:
- Westpac, Société Générale and Sumitomo allegedly lost $400m due to fraud
- They allege the culprit is Forum Finance, run by Sydney businessman Bill Papas
- Mr Papas claims that he contracted COVID-19
“It has made it extremely difficult for me to attend to the things required of me,” he also said in affidavits filed with the Federal Court last week.
The alleged fraudster — and former president of Sydney Olympic Football Club — is currently in Greece and was supposed to return to Australia in early July to defend the allegations made against him.
But he did not end up boarding a flight home (reportedly booked by his girlfriend Louise Agostino), claiming to have contracted COVID-19.
It now turns out that Ms Agostino had secured a travel exemption and flown to Greece to “assist” Mr Papas with his mental health issues.
“Until recently, I have been alone in Greece and in isolation, which has been extremely difficult for me and my mental and physical health,” he said.
“Since her arrival, my health has improved.”
Not as wealthy as Westpac claims?
In his affidavit, Mr Papas (whose real name is Basile Papadimitriou) also said that he owned about $266,000 worth of assets.
They included three jet skis, a camping trailer sitting at his multi-million-dollar property on the NSW Central Coast, $100 worth of shares (in 10 Australian companies), and $206,000 cash sitting in his NAB bank account, he said.
READ MORE VIA ABC