Police have arrested a 59-year-old man from Vava’u for obtaining goods by false pretences after allegedly tricking people into giving them their products to be sold under a false company.

The accused ‘Afa Afuha’amango, who lives in Ma’ufanga, remained in police custody as an investigation continued into more complaints received by the police.

The fraud unit made the arrest after receiving complaints from people that they were approached by the accused.

He went around Tongatapu with alleged forged business documents for the AA Investment Company Ltd in Nuku’alofa, and targeted small farmers. Some handed over to him their crops to be sold under his company but never heard from him again. It is alleged that he disappeared after receiving their goods.

Police said public announcements had been made on radio about this false company and the accused has been arrested.