Police investigating the inappropriate operation of a Westpac business account in Rotorua say two individuals of interest to the inquiry have left New Zealand and are believed to have travelled to Hong Kong.
Enquiries to locate those individuals are continuing through Interpol in Hong Kong and official channels in Beijing.
Detective Senior Sergeant Harvey says police are not confirming the identities of anyone involved at this stage. Officers were working with the family of one of those individuals who were shocked at their name being associated with the case.
Ends
Notes to editors:
1) Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey is unavailable for interview.
2) Inquiries and interview requests about the sums of money involved, processes around the transaction and steps taken by the bank should be directed to Westpac.
3) The role of Interpol in a matter like this is to channel information and requests for assistance between police in different countries. Overseas enquiries into persons of interest to New Zealand Police are carried out by local police in that country after a request from New Zealand is received via Interpol.