Fraudster who used a dead man's cheque-book jailed for 14 months

A fraudster, who swindled a number of businesses by using a dead man’s cheque-book has been jailed for 14 months.

Keith Camilleri, 36, from Qormi, was charged in 2012, with 13 counts of fraud and falsification of banking documents, relapsing and of having committed an offence during the operative period of earlier suspended sentences.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli heard how the Economic Crimes Unit had received a number of reports of bounced cheques apparently issued by Saviour Grima.

The victims all told the police that they had received a call from a certain ‘Tony’ from Salvo Grima Ship Handler company, making a re-supply order for a ship. which had just berthed in the port. Soon after the phone order, a man would turn up to take delivery of the goods, hand over a cheque for payment, accept a receipt and rush off.

Thirteen different businesses duly supplied ‘Tony’ with drinks, cigarettes, electronics and other products despite no purchase order being sent to them. It was only when the cheque bounced that the companies realized that they had been deceived. It was later discovered that the person in whose name the cheque was made was deceased.

Camilleri was identified from CCTV footage and identified in court by a number of the victims.

He pleaded guilty at a late stage in proceedings.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli found Camilleri guilty as charged. After seeing a pre-sentencing report, as well as his criminal record and noting the man’s problems with drug addiction, he was condemned to imprisonment for 14 months.

The court also placed Camilleri under a one-year Treatment Order, to address his substance abuse problems.

Inspectors Carol Fabri and Arthur Mercieca prosecuted.