Samoa Police have again issued a warning against transnational crime after they arrested a Romanian national for allegedly trying to scam funds from a local bank.
Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil confirmed that a 33 year old from the east European country is now in Police custody awaiting his court mention in July.
Commissioner Keil echoed Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi’s warning earlier this week at the opening of the Pacific Immigration Directors Conference against the increase in transnational crimes in the region.
He advised bank customers to ensure they keep checking their accounts to detect any unauthorized transactions.
“Again this is a Romanian national that came into Samoa… he was caught and he is going to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said the Commissioner.
He would not disclose the extent of the criminal activity but said that the fact is they have been very proactive in stopping transnational crime from occurring not just in Samoa but also in the region.
Commissioner Keil pointed out that Samoa Police have been working closely with the Pacific Transnational Crimes Network to stop these kind of crimes coming into the country.
PTCN has it’s headquarters in Samoa.
The commissioner also said there ‘s an organized ring within the Pacific and it’s not just one individual.
Keil said Samoa is working together with other Pacific islands to combat organized crime.
