A German man who runs a travel agency in Malta was today remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to defrauding a Maltese man of about €24,000.

Arne Wolfgang Schmidt, 45, denies the charge and claims the Maltese, Paul Zammit, is a crook and a fraudster.

Defence lawyer Arthur Azzopardi said Mr Zammit had falsely claimed he had given his client some money. He also criticised police investigators for not paying enough attention to a bank document purporting to show a transfer made by the alleged victim. Dr Azzopardi described the document as “blatantly forged” and carrying account details that did not even belong to his client.

The Maltese man claims he had given the German businessman €24,000 over some business deal. But Mr Schmidt is insisting no money ever changed hands.

Magistrate Gabriella Vella denied his request for bail as he did not provide a fixed residential address. He only gave the court the address of his business that he operates from Swatar.

Moreover, the magistrate said the man had failed to deposit his passport so there was the risk he would abscond.

Police Inspectors Matthew Vella and Christabelle Chetcuti prosecuted.