Waitakere CIB has completed a three month investigation into the theft of mail and the fraudulent use of cheques.
Detective Sergeant Stan Brown says, "Police located what was basically a factory for the sorting and washing of cheques involving more than a hundred thousand dollars."
During the past three months some post boxes in Waitakere, North Shore and Central Auckland have been broken into and mail taken from them. Cheques were removed and then washed of details and presented at banks with new large amounts written up.
Some of the mail that was taken from post boxes was recovered at a South Auckland address. Police have contacted the owners of all those cheques.
It will not be possible to recover the additional stolen mail. If people have concerns about missing mail they should check first with the intended recipient or call the NZ Post Customer line 0800 501 501.
Detective Sergeant Brown says, "The investigation was a combined effort of NZ Police and NZ Post with assistance from a number of banks."
Eight people have been arrested and face charges relating to the theft and fraudulent use of cheques. Further arrests are expected.
All inquiries to
Jayson Rhodes
Communications Manager
North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney Police
027 281 0271