Death link to cash withdrawal
BLACKMAIL and fraud are being considered as motives in the killing of a young man found burned to death just hours after he withdrew tens of thousands of dollars from his bank account.
Police say Shalvin Prasad, 21, had saved the money over a long period and it was possible that someone who knew about it had taken advantage of him.
Detectives are now seeking any information which may lead them to the missing money, or the offenders.
Mr Prasad’s scorched body was discovered after a small scrub fire on the side of a road in Kingseat, South Auckland, on Thursday last week. He was burned alive and had no other injuries.
Detective Inspector Dave Lynch said yesterday that Mr Prasad had withdrawn a large sum of money from a bank in Manukau on Wednesday before going missing.
He withdrew the money in $100 bills over the counter from a teller at an ASB and did not seem afraid as he made the transaction, Mr Lynch said.
Mr Prasad’s family noticed the money was missing on Wednesday night, when they used his online banking password to check his account after the supermarket worker left his home, ostensibly to play pool, and never returned.
‘‘People may well speculate as to how a 21-year-old came to have a large sum of money but at this stage of the investigation police emphasise there is no indication Shalvin was involved in illegal activity,’’ Mr Lynch said
‘‘We are seeking assistance from anyone that knows or was associated with Shalvin who have heard any talk that he had withdrawn this money and what he proposed to do with it.’’
Mr Lynch said police were trying to establish if Mr Prasad was the victim of a fraud, or had been blackmailed, or if something else was going on.
‘‘He has been described by family as innocent and naive ... There certainly is the potential for someone to have taken advantage.’’
Yesterday was the first chance police had to interview Mr Prasad’s family. His wallet, keys and cellphone were still missing, although his Rav4 had been discovered at an industrial area of Papatoetoe, about 10km from where his body was found.
The vehicle was secured and will be subject to an extensive forensic examination, while police check CCTV footage in the hope of establishing when the car was left at the address.
There was no connection between Mr Prasad and either of the two areas, where his car was found, or where his body was found, Mr Lynch said.
Police are also still seeking sightings of two cars seen speeding away from the area of the fire about 6.30am the day Mr Prasad’s body was found. It is unknown if the vehicles are relevant to the investigation.