Anthony Constantinou was just three years old when his elegant mother fled their residence in a cocktail dress and sought help from a passing motorcyclist, claiming her husband had been shot. The motorcyclist entered the luxurious 10-bedroom mansion on London’s affluent Millionaires’ Row and discovered Anthony’s father, Aristos, deceased in his private chapel. The case, known as the ‘silver bullet murder’, involved the fashion tycoon being fatally shot with six polished nickel bullets, four in the body and one in each temple. Despite being four decades since the incident, the murder remains unsolved.
The disturbing events that transpired on New Year’s Day in 1985 shed light on Anthony’s journey to becoming a wanted man in Britain. Authorities are utilizing new powers to track down the fugitive, dubbed “Britain’s Wolf of Wall Street”, who disappeared during a trial for a £64 million Ponzi-style scam two years ago.
Following his conviction in absentia for multiple fraud offenses at Southwark Crown Court in June 2023, the 42-year-old Constantinou fled the UK before receiving a 14-year prison sentence. He has been instructed to repay £64 million or face further imprisonment. Interpol has issued a silver notice for his arrest, enabling investigators to locate and seize his assets abroad, including vehicles and properties.
Dept Commissioner Nik Adams of the City of London Police stated that pursuing Constantinou is crucial for delivering justice and compensating his numerous victims. Efforts are underway, nationally and internationally, to recover potential assets held overseas and proceed with confiscation.
Constantinou’s current whereabouts are unknown, with previous speculations placing him in Turkey or Dubai after being apprehended in Bulgaria with a counterfeit Spanish passport. He also has ties to Greece, Cyprus, and Mexico. Despite reports suggesting his demise from a heart attack in Central America, ongoing investigations confirm that Constantinou remains the subject of an active manhunt.
City of London Police has transferred the search to Metropolitan Police, assisted by global authorities. The force declined to comment on the case recently.
Following his father’s tragic murder, Anthony, along with his siblings, moved to the US with their mother, later returning to the UK. He commenced his career at a pharmaceutical company before obtaining his first job in the financial district.
At the age of 34, Constantinou’s foreign exchange trading firm, Capital World Markets, thrived, attracting investors with promises of substantial returns. Lavish spending ensued, including a £2.5 million wedding in Santorini, extravagant birthday celebrations, and luxury travel and accommodations.
CWM’s prominent sponsorships with sports clubs and events masked a massive fraud scheme that unraveled in 2015, coinciding with sex offense accusations against Constantinou. Subsequently jailed for sexual misconduct, reminiscent of the debauchery depicted in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” he faced allegations of mistreating female employees, engaging in financial malpractice, and orchestrating a fraudulent operation.
The investigation revealed a culture of abuse and corruption within CWM, leading to legal action and the company’s closure. Constantinou’s extravagant lifestyle and illicit activities contrasted starkly with his father’s legacy, causing rifts within the family.
Elena Constantinou, the matriarch, maintained her innocence despite suspicions surrounding her involvement in her husband’s murder. Anthony, estranged from his mother and residing in Cyprus, shared similar doubts with his uncle about her role in the tragedy.
The unresolved case, marred by familial tensions and criminal pursuits, underscores a complex narrative of greed, deception, and tragedy that continues to haunt the Constantinou family.