A man who allegedly impersonated a MEPA official and demanded payment from a farmer was arraigned before a magistrate and accused of fraud and impersonating a public officer.

Eugenio Gaffarena, 51 of Mqabba denied all charges.

Police Inspector Maurice Curmi told the court that Mr Gaffarena had gone to a farm belonging to Joseph Azzopardi and demanded payment of Lm5,000 (€11,646). He later also demanded an additional Lm1,500 (€3,494) claiming that a structure was illegal and would otherwise be demolished.

The incident happened in January last year.

In March, Mr Azzopardi had gone to MEPA to look for the Joseph Farrugia who Mr Gaffarena was posing as, and found a Joseph Farrugia who was not the person he had spoken to.

Mr Gaffarena had given his mobile number to Mr Azzopardi and that was how the police tracked him down, the inspector said.

The case continues.

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