$850,000 In Cash Allegedly Stolen

Police and Westpac Bank are investigating the alleged theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars during a routine money transfer assignment on Wednesday.

While neither Police nor Westpac have confirmed the amount stolen, it is understood that $850,000 was escorted from the Westpac Bank Savusavu branch to Labasa Airport bound for the main branch in Suva.

Upon arrival in Nausori, the security officer escorting the three bags of cash discovered that the security company seal had been changed.

A representative from the Westpac main branch in Suva examined the three bags in the presence of personnel from the Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

Each money bag contained two rims of A4 papers.

Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho confirmed receiving the report, adding that investigations were ongoing in both Vanua Levu and Viti Levu.

Westpac Fiji confirmed they were assisting Police with investigations, however could not comment further.

The bank stated that the incident did not hinder their customer service delivery and all branches remained open.

Feedback:  sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj