Bank ‘saves’ K170,000

National

Stringent security measures on fraud activities by the Bank South Pacific has foiled a man’s attempts to steal over K170,000, police in Goroka say.
Eastern Highlands police commander superintendent David Seine Jr commended the BSP Goroka branch for detecting an alleged fraud by the suspect (name withheld).
Seine Jr said the suspect was attempting to deposit a cheque valued at K177,000 into another person’s account last Tuesday when he was caught.
He said the suspect was brought into the police station for questioning after being alerted by the bank management.
“When we searched his bag, we found a number of blank cheques, a flash drive containing copies of cheques, company stamps, a full ANZ cheque book and other documents in his possession,” he said.
Seine said the suspect fraudulently obtained a cheque purportedly belonged to Sengda Trading, wrote the sum and forged the signature of the shop manager.
He said the suspect was in the process of depositing the cheque into a Ben Alphonse’s personal bank account, when the bank staff queried for payment voucher from Sengda Trading.
Seine said the suspect drew suspicion due to his behaviour while also producing a fake voucher.
Sengda management, when contacted by the bank, denied writing the cheque.
Seine said police investigation was continuing and more charges would be laid apart from forgery and uttering.