FBI admits held pensioner is wrong man
British pensioner Derek Bond is not the man wanted by the FBI for a multi-million dollar fraud in the US.
The 72-year-old from Bristol is expected to be released from jail in South Africa after a man thought to be the real suspect was arrested in Las Vegas last night.
"We got the wrong man," an official from the US Attorney's Office said. "Mr Bond is owed an apology."
Mr Bond's family have insisted he was a victim of mistaken identity since he was arrested while on a wine-tasting holiday with his wife Audrey, two weeks ago.
The FBI was hunting a suspect known by the names of Derek Bond and Derek Lloyd Sykes, who had the same date of birth and passport number as the retired businessman from Bristol.
The Interpol website said the wanted man "may be dangerous" and listed his offences as property conspiracy, fraud conspiracy and money laundering.
FBI agents in Las Vegas arrested a man last night who had a passport in the name of Derek Lloyd Sykes. Mr Bond has not been informed yet and remains in a cell in Durban.
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