Fraud bungle suspect to stand trial

Fraud bungle suspect to stand trial

The real fugitive: Derek Sykes, who used to call himself Bond

The real prime suspect behind a multi-million dollar fraud is to be transferred to Texas for trial.

Bristol pensioner Derek Bond, 72, spent three weeks in a South African prison, after being mistaken for the wanted man, by the FBI.

Derek Sykes - who had been using Mr Bond's identity - was arrested in Las Vegas on Tuesday evening.

Appearing at a hearing in Nevada, he denied one count of conspiracy, four counts of wire fraud and 17 counts of transporting stolen property.

DEREK BOND'S ORDEAL

Feb 6: Arrested on arrival in South Africa

Feb 10: Agreed to be extradited to US to clear his name

Feb 14: US authorities discover Mr Bond is claiming mistaken identity

Feb 25: US prosecutor tipped off about "real" Mr Sykes in Las Vegas

Feb 26: Mr Bond released

The indictment accuses Mr Sykes and another man, Frank Bravo Jr, of soliciting fraudulent investments from people in a telephone calling card business spanning at least 17 US states.

Meanwhile, Mr Bond is expected to return to Britain in the next few days.

He was released on Wednesday after authorities determined he was not the man wanted by American authorities.

He was arrested during a wine-tasting holiday along South Africa's eastern coast.

Speaking after his release, a tearful Mr Bond said he had slept on a concrete floor and had been almost unable to eat.

He said there was "every possibility" he would make a claim for compensation against the FBI.