A MAN from South Malaita was arrested in Gizo, Western Province for allegedly lying and collecting thousands of dollars from members of the public in Gizo and Munda.
Some of the victims told Solomon Star Gizo that the man borrowed money from them and never repaid them.
Western Provincial Police Commander (PPC) chief superintendent Mathias Lenialu said the 26-year-old man took more than $10,000 from eight people in different occasions within period of two weeks.
One victim said the man asked him for $1000 cash saying that he has a job in Honiara but his money is yet to be cleared at Bank South Pacific Gizo Branch.
“I doubted him because his face is new in the town,” the victim said.
Another victim a taxi driver from Lezu Taxi Service said the man hired his car from morning until evening.
“He loaded the car with cartons of beer and few girls so I thought this man has a lot of money.
“When he got out of my car he said he will pay my bill later because his money is yet to be cleared at Bank South Pacific Gizo Branch.
“I could have earned around $800 to $900,” the concerned driver said.
Another victim told Solomon Star Gizo that the man told him and others in Gizo that he is the boss of Solomon Power Office in Gizo and borrowed money from them to the amount of around $6000.
“He uses many different names to lie to people,” the concerned man said.
He said the alleged conman spend time between Munda and Gizo.
According to Police in Gizo, the man is now in Gizo Correctional Services Solomon Islands at Malakerava.
He was charged under nine counts of Obtaining Credit by False Pretences Contrary to Section 309(a) of the Penal Code (Ch.26) and currently remanded for 14 days at Gizo Correctional Centre to appear in court on a later date.
Police are still investigating his case.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
