Acting Deputy Police Commissioner and Chief of Operations Fred Yakasa says the fight against graft will intensify because the trend of theft and embezzlement within the public and private sectors is spiraling out of control.

Mr Yakasa gave this undertaking after fraud investigators arrested three suspects allegedly linked to what police described as a well strategized syndicate operating in Port Moresby city yesterday.

Following this successful police operation, Mr Yakasa warned people to be wary of conmen and thieves whom he said have become more daring and cunning in their illegal activities.

He said the reported theft of K5 billion over the years from the government system is a stark reality of the intensity of graft and corruption in the country.

Corruption and fraud is bleeding the country’s economy and it is directly contributing to violent crimes such as armed robberies because while huge sums of public funds are being stolen wantonly, the masses suffer and are resorting to violent crimes to make ends meet.

Funds earmarked for legitimate developmental purposes are getting lost in this huge syndrome while those who miss out on job opportunities are resorting to crime just to whet their wants. Mr Yakasa said.

He said police will widen their investigations into numerous high profile cases and they expect industry sources to assist them in whatever way possible to fight graft and corruption in the country.

He called on all Christians, Women, Youth and the elderly people across the nation to stand up and join hands in the fight against corruption and crime in the country 

This country is generating millions of kina in revenue every year, but much of these public funds are being stolen through fraud and corruption and we must all do something to eradicate the stealing in our society, Mr Yakasa said. 

He said police have uncovered that criminals are cheating unsuspecting victims mostly people who have outstanding claims with the Department of National Planning and Monitoring 

The former policeman identified as Nelson Paniu and two others named as Wesley Pabulu and Patrick Guan were alleged to have produced false documents and stole K58, 000 from a man identified as Bobbies Karbain in Bogia, Madang Province on February 14.

Police alleged that Paniu impersonating as Secretary Lelang called the complainant and told him to pay K10, 000 into a BSP Bank account in exchange for a Departmental Cheque worth over K5 million for a cocoa and coconut rehabilitation project in Madang province.

The victim was told to deposit another K10, 000 into the same account on February 16 and was instructed to travel into Port Moresby to pick up the cheque addressed to Kaborbor General Contractor Limited of Madang.

After arriving in Port Moresby, the victim was shown a photo-copied cheque bearing the name of the Contractor and he allegedly paid another K40, 000 in cash to Paniu and his accomplices

The suspects then told Karbain to return to Madang to wait for Secretary Lelang and Minister Paul Tienstein to deliver the cheque when he became suspicious and reported the matter to police.