Motorist Ordered to Forfeit €21,300 After Bizarre Superman Excuse
A motorist caught with stacks of unexplained cash at the Channel Tunnel has been forced to hand over €21,300 – all because of a dodgy story about a mysterious relative called “Superman.”
Cash Stash Sparks Suspicion at Channel Tunnel
Gica Rostas and his wife Marcella were stopped in May 2020 while trying to cross the Channel Tunnel. Police found bundles of cash that made no sense. Inside Mrs Rostas’ handbag were €21,300, while another £10,300 was hidden in a picnic basket lining. In total, almost £30,000 in hard cash was seized.
“Superman” Story Falls Flat
During an interview with Kent Police, Mr Rostas claimed the money came from an insurance payout his “relative” Superman received after a car crash, and that it was meant for visiting family in Romania. However, he later admitted this was a lie. Instead, he said the cash came from a house sale back in 2008.
No Conviction, But Cash Forfeited
The couple, both from Luton and aged 45 and 46, were charged with money laundering at Maidstone Crown Court in October 2023. The trial was dropped, and no retrial was scheduled. But Kent Police’s financial investigators pressed on with a civil case under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
On 22 November 2024, Margate Magistrates’ Court granted a forfeiture order on the seized money.
Detective Inspector David Godfrey said: “Whilst Mr and Mrs Rostas were never convicted, they could not explain why they tried to leave the UK with so much cash. The best excuse was a relative named Superman, which was later admitted to be false.”
“The Proceeds of Crime Act lets officers seize cash when the explanation isn’t believable. This helps stop crime money flowing and boots illegal profiteers out of business.”
