Two employees of the Samoa National Provident Fund (S.N.P.F.) have had their services terminated after allegedly embezzling more than $140,000 from the fund over five years.  The alleged scam began in 2014. 

It involved taking pension funds from the accounts of pensioners after they passed away. 

The S.N.P.F. Chief Executive Officer, Pauli Prince Suhren, confirmed that the matter is with the Ministry of Police. 

“It is now in the hands of the Police," he said. "I do not wish to prejudice their investigation, there will be no further comments from our end."

According to officials at the S.N.P.F. not authorised to talk to the media, one staff member is accused of taking funds from the pensioners in 2019, making off with $2,000. 

“While the other [former] employee started in 2014 and he managed to transfer more than $140,000 into his personal accounts for his personal use,” the Samoa Observer was told.

In an interview with Talamua Media, Pauli said the accused who worked under the Pensions Division was terminated last week.

He could not disclose how much was taken from how many different accounts because the matter is now with Police, but he did voice his disappointment at the incidents. 

“Our Institution deals with money on a daily basis and what’s needed here is honest employees,” Pauli is quoted as saying by Talamua.

He said a similar case happened in 2017 and the Fund was quick to deal with the person involved.

“Because we deal with a substantial amount of money daily, it is our policy to act quickly once a crime is committed."