Two persons believed to be behind an $8 million scam at the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies, Mona, were on Saturday charged with conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by means of false pretence.

The two, a 30-year-old male and a 37-year-old female, who is also charged with causing money to be paid out by false pretence, are to appear in court on December 1.

Allegations are that between 2004 and May 2008, the female, who was employed as the senior administrative assistant in the Centre for Caribbean Thought, along with her alleged cronies, wrote up fraudulent subsistence claims, requesting payment for various fictitious transactions.

Reimbursement for trips

It is further alleged that the accused persons claimed for reimbursement for trips to the United Kingdom and the United States, days worth of hotel fees, payment for designing websites and for conducting research. It was later found out however, that these claims were fraudulent and the activities that were claimed for were either false or exaggerated.

It is alleged that the female accused, in her position, signed the claims and authorised the bank or bursary to pay out the sums to herself and other persons.

A source at the Fraud Squad told THE STAR that some claims were written in fictitious names, in the names of persons who had nothing to do with the centre and in the names of some lecturers who were in some way affiliated with the centre.

OVERDRAFT WARNING

The scam was unearthed when the centre, which falls under the responsibility of Professor Brian Meeks, attempted to enter into a transaction but was warned of an overdraft. After some investigations, the discrepancies were identified, but it was initially thought that only $3 million was involved. After a detailed audit however, it was revealed that over $8m had been paid out.

It is alleged that at least two other persons were involved in the scam but they have reportedly fled overseas.