Biała Polaska loses out to Turkish con artist

Turkish investor Vahap Toy, who promised to construct a $6 billion airport and a mega business-entertainment center near Biała Podlaska, has vanished. His business partners have no idea where he is, and he is wanted not only by debt collectors, but also by prosecutors wanting to question him. Toy's companies owe money to the town office, Military Property Agency (AMW), local power plant and telecommunication company, a security company and employees. "In July we began legal proceedings against the investor for not paying premiums to the Social Insurance Office (ZUS). We believe he is abroad," Rzeczpospolita learnt from Warsaw's Prosecutor. None of Toy's employees can get in touch with him and would comment on his financial problems. "I do not believe in Vahap Toy anymore. At least, one of the advantages of this situation is that the rest of Poland distinguishes us from other Polish cities with similar names," said Andrzej Czapski, Mayor of Biała Podlaska. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, A5) M.M.