Six people charged fro scam

Six people were produced at the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday charged with allegedly colluding to raise fake tax invoices for services rendered to a shipping company to the amount of over $130,000.

They are alleged to have between the 1st of February to the 28th of February 2023 colluded to fraudulently obtain money from the shipping company under the pretext that they were truck owners able to render delivery services.

The investigation revealed that the six provided bogus tax invoices of delivery services through one of the accused, an employee of the shipping company who facilitated payments.

It was revealed that the six did not own any trucks and the vehicle numbers reflected in their provided tax invoices were that of their private cars.

The matter came to light following an internal investigation directed by the company’s general manager.

The first accused, a 38-year old man was charged with three counts of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception.

The second accused, a 50 year old man, has been charged with one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception and falsification of documents.

The third and fourth accused persons, two women aged 25 and 39 years have both been charged with one count of falsification of documents, obtaining financial advantage by deception and in possession of property believed to be proceeds of crime.

The fifth accused, a 39 year old man has been charged with one count of falsification of documents, obtaining financial advantage by deception and one count of possession of property believed to be proceeds of crime.

The sixth accused, a 43 year old man was charged with one count of falsification of documents, one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception and one count of possession of property believed to be proceeds of crime.

Five of the accused persons were bailed for their next court hearing scheduled for the 10th of March 2025, while the sixth accused has been remanded to appear on the same date.