Wellington Police has been investigating a number of fraud complaints received from various trade supply businesses who were targeted between November 2014 and May 2015. Over $230,000 worth of drainage equipment, power tools and alcohol has been obtained through fraudulent credit accounts.
Police are seeking Christian SMITH (previously known as Christopher Stanley SANFORD and Christopher Raymond MISH-WILLS) in relation to this investigation and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. As such Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating him. Anyone who may know of SMITH’s whereabouts is asked to contact Wellington Police on (04) 381 2000 and ask for Detective Blair Adamson. Alternatively they can provide information anonymously through the Crimestoppers phone line – 0800 555 111.
Detective Blair Adamson of the Wellington Police states that there are a number of steps that businesses providing credit accounts to clients can better protect themselves against this sort of offending including conducting credit checks, not only on companies and individuals applying for credit, but also on those companies claiming to be the applicant’s legitimate trade references. Other basic steps which are often missed include meeting the applicant in person, conducting online searches to verify details provided in the credit applications, researching the NZ Companies Office website to obtain details of other companies the applicants may be associated to, limiting the amount of credit provided until trust can be built between the applicant and credit provider, and sighting the applicant’s identification.
As this type of fraud is occuring at a national level, an important tool in preventing this offending is for business communities to formally share information with each other identifying these individuals who are targeting their particular industry. This offending is an ongoing problem which requiries businesses to be vigilant against individuals who capitalise on the ability to change their name and make attempts to open further credit accounts with them.
Police are also calling for other companies who think they may also have been a victim of this fraud, who have not yet made a complaint to Police, to do so.
