Fraud probe launched at Catholic society

SFO director Adam Feeley. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Police and the Serious Fraud Office have announced they are looking into allegations of employee fraud at the Hibernian Catholic Benefit Society.

The Hibernian Society offers a range of financial services and mutual assistance to its members, including loans, life assurance, medical and household insurance.

"At this stage we cannot accurately quantify the scale of alleged fraud. However, it potentially affects a large number of members which, together with the volume of financial records, makes this case of interest to us," said SFO director Adam Feeley.

Feeley said that police and the SFO were "working alongside each other, using their complementary skills and resources to better understand the scale and nature of the allegations".

He said the investigation was receiving the full cooperation of Hibernian's management and board.

- NZHERALD STAFF