Lae Police have caught and arrested three alleged fraudsters who have been forging company cheques to withdraw large sums of money from banks.
The suspects were apprehended at various locations in the city following an operation that tracked them down.
They were also using fraudulent cheques to make purchases in shops.
Police say the suspects are identified as Mack Pamudi, Wesly Joe Hamago and Sidney Robert. All three suspects are alleged to have been carrying out the illegal activity for more than five years.
The suspects were described to have used company cheques to order large quantities of goods from wholesalers and stationary shops.
They were also withdrawing money from banks without the company managements’ knowledge.
Two of the three suspects are unemployed, whilst one is an Accounts Receivable clerk for a major supermarket.
Police have charged two of the suspects on two counts of fraud on various occasions.
They have been granted bail by the Lae District Court.
Another suspect, Sidney Robert, has been arrested on five counts, including stealing more than K400,000 of a major food processing company.
The suspect, Sidney Robert, is also wanted by Goroka police for a similar offence. He is currently held at the Buimo Correctional Service.
Lae Metropolitan Commander Chief Superintendent, Anthony Wagambie, says there are now groups of fraudsters who commit crimes against unsuspecting companies and individuals.
Wagambie commended his investigators for apprehending the suspects.
