The Criminal Investigations Department’s Major Fraud Unit has charged a 56-year-old Lautoka man for allegedly dishonestly obtaining more than $27,000 in a fraudulent agriculture supply scheme.

According to police, the alleged offence occurred between October 2018 and September 2019, when the accused acted as a middleman for an overseas supplier and obtained advance payment from a local buyer for agricultural supplies.

However, after receiving the funds, the man allegedly presented a false bill of lading, claiming it was issued by the overseas supplier, and failed to deliver the goods.

A report was lodged by the local buyer and overseas supplier.

The accused has been charged with one count of Obtaining Property by Deception, and is scheduled to appear at the Lautoka Magistrates Court today.