Police are warning Nelson businesses to beware of a stolen cheque scam that has cost Nelson and Marlborough companies several thousand dollars.
Senior Constable Mel Drummond said a Nelson man had been using cheques stolen from a Richmond business throughout the region.
Police had received eight complaints, and were following strong leads.
Mr
Drummond said the man phoned companies claiming to be a business owner and asking them to cash a wages cheque.
"The caller will state that an employee has been given a cheque that he needs to cash but cannot do so because of the weekend.
"If given permission, the same male will arrive soon after at the business, stating he is the employee, and present the stolen cheque.
Mr Drummond said the man had stolen up to $4000 from businesses in Nelson and Marlborough.
The amount was expected to increase as more complaints were received.
"As a general rule, businesses are advised not to cash cheques from any person they do not have personal knowledge of."
- NZPA
