Police say they have busted a criminal syndicate that manufactures illegal bank cheques that have spread across the local market. Already over P1 million has been defrauded from various companies through the illegal cheque manufacturing scheme.
Reports reaching The Telegraph suggest that Serious Crime Squad has launched intensive investigations after several companies were defrauded of huge amounts of money through this illegal manufacturing of bank cheques.
The criminal syndicate based in Gaborone, is spearheaded by foreigners.
Security agents are battling to trace the machine that was used to produce the illegal bank cheques.
One foreigner has been arrested in-connection with the offenses. Acting Serious Crime Squad detective superintendent Maikaelelo told The Telegraph that they are investigating a number of cases in which several companies were defrauded money through the illegal manufacturing of bank cheques.
He explained that this is a new trend all together.
“It is totally different from the previous systems where criminals simply forged the signature. This is shocking,” he said.
He said such illegal cheques look very genuine adding that the alleged fraudsters who have a “sweet tongue” will approach anybody to change such cheques. He said they have already arrested a middle aged man in connection with the forgery and is a non citizen.
“About three of his co accused are still at large and we are hoping to arrest them in a short space of time,” he said.
He said it is very important that they should trace the whereabouts of the machine so that they can cut the supply of such cheques.
He also warned the public to desist from assisting strangers to change cheques for them as this can lead them into trouble.
