Public servant arrested for fraud

An officer from the Department of National Planning and Monitoring has been arrested by the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate.

On March 31, detectives arrested and charged program officer Mollars Nollamanu Winzo, 47, of Okapa district, Eastern Highlands Province, for fraud.

Detective chief superintendent, Matthew Damaru, said Winzo was interviewed and charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud, one count of money laundering and one count of misappropriation of funds totaling K10 million. This money belongs to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.

“These charges emanated from a payment of K10 million intended for Telikom PNG Ltd, being fraudulently diverted to a company called Wia Rural Communication Ltd,” Damaru said in a statement.

“The Boards of Telikom PNG and IPBC were not involved.

“It is alleged the accused and others, after diversion of the money, wrote letters to legitimize a ‘rural reseller agreement’, signed between Telikom PNG and Wia Rural Communication Ltd, with intent to defraud the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.”

Winzo appraises and recommends project proposals in the Department. He is alleged to have played a key role in this fraud.

“Winzo was interviewed at NFACD office, at Konedobu, Port Moresby, and was later taken to the Boroko Police Station cells,” said Damaru.

“This arrest is a result of a lengthy investigation conducted by NFACD.

“He will appear in court later this week.

“More arrests will be made soon on the matter.”

Author: 
Press release