On June 12th, 2026, a woman from Couva appeared before the Port of Spain Master’s Court for several charges related to fraud. Shamika Phillis Samuel was charged with two counts of Obtaining Goods and Cash by False Pretences and two counts of Money Laundering. These charges stemmed from her alleged issuance of fraudulent ministry cheques.
The case came to light after the Head of Compliance at a Government Ministry reported irregularities. Several documents were found purporting to be ministry-issued cheques in the names of non-clients. Following the report, an investigation was launched, revealing that supermarkets in El Dorado and Port of Spain had been defrauded of goods and cash. They had accepted counterfeit cheques endorsed by Samuel.
Samuel was granted bail of $60,000 and is scheduled to reappear in court on July 15th, 2026. Her charges were filed by Constable Atiba Gabriel of the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau.
In light of this case, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is advising the public to remain vigilant in financial transactions. They recommend businesses to defer transactions until the authenticity of cheques and the identities of involved parties can be verified. The TTPS is also working with Government Ministries to develop more robust anti-fraud mechanisms to protect state-funded grants and assistance programmes.
