3 Jan 2008

Huge alleged fuel theft uncovered in American Samoa

11:13 am on 3 January 2008

Five people in American Samoa are being charged for the alleged theft of diesel fuel from oil company British Petroleum Southwest Pacific.

Arrest warrants have been issued for two employees of British Petroleum and two employees of Mobil and an Asian fishing boat owner.

The charges include felony stealing, conspiracy to commit felony stealing and receiving stolen property.

It's alleged that the fuel company employees conspired with the fishing boat owner in a scheme that resulted in the fuel company not receiving payment for a quarter of a million gallons of diesel fuel.

The scheme was uncovered during an audit by British Petroleum Fiji which noticed substantial losses from the local branch.

Investigations are continuing and more people may be charged.