The arrest of one of the directors of One-Link Pacifica by Police had left clients of the pyramid scheme high and dry nation-wide.
Calling from Taro, a customer who asked not to be named said that the scheme had swindled thousands of dollars from the people of Choiseul through their network of mentors.
The caller said that they were aware that the downfall of One-link was imminent because payments were delayed for well-tailored excuses.
“However, One-Link clients in Choiseul demanded that mentors who were taking an active role in collecting funds from the people be held accountable in the court of law for being associates to a Ponzi scheme with the intention to defraud the public,” the caller said.
He added that they have made several calls to the mentor demanding answers, let alone a refund of their monies but he was neither seen nor answered their calls.
Provincial Police Commander Honiara City Chief Superintendent Stanley Riolo said the director was arrested and charged with false pretense under section 308 (a) of the Penal Code and he is now in custody for further dealing.
It is understood that the director’s case was heard by the Honiara Magistrates’ Court today 17th April 2020.
Gerrard Tauohu is facing 33 counts of false pretence under the penal code and one count of unlicensed financial institutions under the Financial Institutions Act 1998.
Police arrested and charged Tauohu after receiving complaints from One Link mentors and customers who have not yet received their payments from the director.
So far only complaints from four persons totalling up to more than $400, 0000 have been reported to the police.
Tauohu was arrested on March 30 following a complaint raised by One Link mentors and customers who are yet to receive their payments.
Police had recovered $114,700 from Tauohu.
It is understood that despite warnings by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands about such schemes and the likeliness of loss of money, people continued to flock in numbers to invest anyway.
By SAMSON SADE
