An accused man appeared before the San Fernando Master’s Court on Monday 16, charged with uttering a forged document, obtaining money by false pretences and three counts of money laundering.
The charges followed an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau into a report made in September 2022 by the Chief Executive Officer of the Siparia Regional Corporation.
According to police, a financial audit identified discrepancies involving a cheque prepared for a supplier. Investigators reported that the cheque was stolen, the payee details were altered and the amount was increased.
Police said the person named as payee was not an employee or supplier of the Siparia Regional Corporation and had no entitlement to the funds.
Investigations revealed that the cheque was encashed at a commercial bank in Marabella after being presented as genuine. A sum of TT$300,000 was deposited into the accused’s account and later withdrawn in three transactions over one week.
DCP Intelligence and Investigations Natasha George, ACP White-Collar Crime Vena Butler and Senior Superintendent Avinash Singh coordinated the investigation. W/Inspector Wilkinson led the operation under the supervision of W/Sergeant Charles, with support from Sergeant Rambaran and Constables Adams, Khan, Subran and Modeste.
The accused was granted bail of TT$400,000 with surety. The court ordered the accused to report to the San Fernando Police Station at intervals and to comply with conditions.
The matter was adjourned to July 7.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service advised the public to verify financial documents and identities when conducting transactions involving cheques and other instruments.
