A downtown Montreal restauranteur says he’s out $18,000 after an alleged fraud scheme gutted his cellar of among his most prized vintage.

Chez Alexandre & Fils owner Alain Creton told CityNews that 10 bottles of Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2007 and two bottles of cognac were stolen after a scammer used a fake payment to collect an urgent order.

He’s hoping his experience will be a cautionary tale to teach other business owners to avoid handing over a single bottle until the money is really in the bank.

“Please, any restauranteur in Quebec, be very, very careful,” he said Friday.

Creton said a caller offered to pay extra to rush the purchase on Nov. 28. He said the fraudster claimed the alcohol would be used at a high-profile investor party tied to Montreal billionaire Lawrence Stroll.

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