Where did the self-made man’s wealth come from?

The Public Prosecution’s decision to refer 71 defendants to the Criminal Court in the agricultural plot manipulation case prompts the writer to revisit a story he has avoided discussing for years. He presents it as an example of how some people allegedly built fortunes that could not have been achieved through legitimate means.

The tale centers on three men, whom the writer calls the “Three Musketeers.” One was a banker who facilitated loans, particularly those backed by solid collateral. Another worked at the Ministry of Finance. The third, described as the scheme’s “dynamo” or mastermind, had the least money and the weakest reputation, but was portrayed as the most intelligent, energetic and knowledgeable.

According to the account, the third man proposed buying an “investment” plot on a well-known street. The Finance Ministry employee agreed to provide the down payment. The two then approached the banker, who arranged a loan for the remaining purchase price with the land as collateral. The arrangement proceeded smoothly because such banking transactions were common at the time.

After the purchase, the bank agreed to finance construction through another loan. Building plans and permits were completed quickly through what the writer describes as familiar methods. Once construction reached a certain stage, the third man approached the relevant government agency and offered to lease the building to the state at a rent far above its value. The source frames the story as a warning about the methods behind apparently self-made wealth, while the writer contrasts those practices with his own stated commitment to avoiding illegal and unethical conduct.