An investigation has been launched by the Guyana Police Force after three-forged Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) cheques amounting to over $23.8M were discovered to be cashed at a commercial bank.
The discovery was made after an employee at the bank called GRA to confirm the issuance and the amount of a fourth cheque that was attempted to be cashed.
Commissioner General of GRA, Godfrey Statia, confirmed that the cheques are not authentic GRA cheques.
He further highlighted that all cheques issued by the GRA are stamped “not negotiable” meaning that commercial banks are not allowed to cash them and that they must be deposited into a payee account.
He told the press that the fact that the forged cheques were cashed at a commercial bank demonstrates some level of collusion between the forgers, the bank’s employees and likely some GRA employees who may have provided the forgers with the cheque numbers.
When the newspaper contacted the commercial bank at which the forged cheques were reportedly cashed, a representative stated that she is aware of the matter but will desist from commenting on the issue since the police have launched an investigation.
