TWO male prisoners who escaped from Hu'atolitoli Prison weeks ago remain at large in Tongatapu. Police are urging the public to come forward with information that may lead to their recapture.

The prisoners are Sione Movete Uatekini (24) of Tatakamotonga and Peni 'Inia (20) of Tu'anuku, Vava'u, residing at Ma'ufanga. Both men were serving sentences for theft and housebreaking offences.

Tonga's Deputy Police Commander confirmed that a third prisoner Siosifa Li (31) of Manuka, who also escaped, was captured on Saturday, August 7. He is serving a sentence for similar offences of housebreaking and theft. He said that these prisoners had got years to serve at Hu'atolitoli Prison.

Money Fraud

This week Police also warned the public about money fraud and not to be taken in by International criminals use mobile phones via text messages notifying the owner that they have won a lottery The fraudulent text messages require a deposit usually in USD or UK currency to be made to an overseas bank before the prize money is released.

The Deputy Commander said that some cases had resulted in people inquiring to banks about overseas currencies and how to deposit such money. Therefore he advised the public to exercise better judgement and not to send money to such fraudulent terms.

The coming of text through telephone messaging technology is yet another form for transnational crimes and the police were looking out for this, he added.

Theft

In the meantime, police recorded 71 criminal offences between August 2-8.Theft emerged as the most prevalent crime with 25 offences followed by 14 housebreaks and 11 assaults.Other criminal offences included unlawful entry by night, wilful damage, bodily harm, obtaining by false pretence, attempting suicide and one incest case.