Female employee in alleged $1.7m swindle

Loss for Cairns business could be more, say police

A CAIRNS woman is set to face court next month accused of swindling about $1.7 million from her employer.

Police have warned the amount could be even higher as the investigation into the finances of the city business continues.

The Cairns Post understands the woman’s alleged dealings came to light when a director of the Cairns business realised something was amiss last week and called police.

Officers started a probe into the company’s finances which allegedly led to the 54-year-old office manager.

Detectives went to her home on Friday about 7am and took her into custody before charging her with one count of fraud. It is alleged she has been stealing money for at least the past six years, but has been employed by the business for much longer.

Police say she was allegedly using several methods to appropriate the funds.

The techniques included allegedly creating false invoices as well as transferring money to an unused account before redirecting it to her personal account. The charge relates to alleged activities between January 2011 and July this year.

She is due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court for the first time on August 7.

Cairns police Sen-Constable Russell Parker said these types of incidents were particularly damaging to small businesses and advised owners to be vigilant.

“While the money stolen is a serious concern to the operator it is also the breach of trust,” he said.

“This should be a warning to business owners to be vigilant with their accounts and overview them from time to time.”