23 Oct 2003

Solomons police widen inquiry into scam operation

12:16 pm on 23 October 2003

Solomon Islands police are seeking international help to try and locate the millions of dollars taken by the Family Charitable Fund scam.

From April of last year until the middle of this year, thousands of people paid at least 250 Solomon Islands dollars into the scheme, in the belief they would get million dollar plus pay outs within a month.

The five principals behind the scam have been convicted and are to be sentenced next week.

They were advised by the magistrate to use the time to reveal to police where the missing millions are.

Meanwhile, the police commissioner Bill Morrell says they are making enquiries overseas.

"Certainly we are working through Interpol and other agencies to see if that money has been sent abroad. A few inquiries are being followed up there."