Solomon Islands police have seized property and arrested two people in connection with a fraud case in the government's Treasury department.
The thieves are alleged to have stolen a government cheque which they cashed and subsequently used to buy cars, taxis and buses.
After calling for an investigation into the missing money, the Finance Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, was threatened and is now receiving police protection.
Dorothy Wickham reports.
"Finance minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, confirmed the arrests, saying around 500,000 Solomon Islands dollars was stolen. It is alleged that thieves used a government cheque and cashed it in a commercial bank. As a result of the arrests, finance minister Gordon Darcy was threatened and has since required close protection by the police. Investigations are continuing into the case."
