Stolen cheques subject of police warning

Press, 30 January 1981, Page 4

Stolen cheques subject of police warning

The Christchurch police are again warning people to make sure that their cheque books are not lost or stolen. Detective Senior-Sergeant [R. G. Carson, of the Christ-[ 'church fraud squad, said the' ‘potential danger from lost and stolen cheque books was [tremendous and only those [who had been defrauded in [this,manner fully understood i'what damage could be done. | “A car can he bought with (a cheque,” he said. -i. Four women and three jriten were arrested yesterday [at Auckland on fraud (charges involving the Post [.'Office Savings' Bank, the ([Press Association reports. { ■ The fraud scheme involved cheques drawn on . various I bank accounts after cheque books had been stolen during burglaries, from .cars, or from -unattended handbags. Detective Inspecto-ry-M. G.

• Charles, of the Auckland i'fraud squad, said a total of ! $138,900 was involved, $95,000 of this in Auckla'ffi and the rest in other parts • iof New Zealand. !• Detective Senior-Sergeant Carson said the matter in was “under j-control" after a series of ari rests by the fraud squad just I before Christmas. It is believed two groups rare working in Christchurch, (stealing cheque books and false cheques. Mr -'Carson said cheques were pledged in accounts with a t; minimal amount invested ; then withdrawn two or three days later.