The urban planning certificate allegedly issued by the City Hall in the case of the four persons suspected of cheating a foreign investor out of 5 million euros is fake, stated Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca at a news conference. “This is clearly a case of fraud. Currently the Anti-corruption Center is examining this version as well. Those people forged a document, attempting to sell it as part of a construction project”, said the mayor, adding that he had ordered an internal investigation which ruled out any involvement on the part of municipal officers in the issuance of the urban planning certificate. The four men were arrested by anti-corruption officers as the investor's representative was handing them the final installment of the first tranche of 450,000 euros. The suspects had claimed that they could use their influence with some municipal functionaries to secure construction activity on a 8.7 hectare plot owned by the municipality. The suspects, including 2 real estate agents and 2 intermediaries, are held in custody by the anti-corruption officers, facing influence peddling charges. The investigators said they would quiz a number of municipal functionaries responsible for land matters to verify any involvement.