Fraud?

A friend of mine claimed a travel reimbursement that was an entitlement of her salary contract. She had been told by the manager (who didn't employ her but was her direct day-to-day boss) that she couldn't claim the travel. She didn't want to cause a fuss and argue with her boss, especially at the start of the new job, so she left it until a few weeks before she resigned, and submitted the claim form. She had subsequently found out from other colleagues that it WAS a legitimate entitlement as rereading the contract confirmed. A week later she received a phone call to come to the police station that her employer had passed on the claim to the police and it was a police matter - fraud (!) and she must attend an interview (tomorrow)! No checking, no in house discussion! Turns out as it was an eticket with no receipt and the credit card used to pay had long been cancelled, the 'qoute' she had submitted was deemed fraud even though a legitimate quote from a HK airline!?? wtf? This is real so I'm not asking can they do it, but how should she respond in the interview/process?? She is worried sick she will be 'arrested' and thrown in jail!

She should be completely honest. Get her to take the contract along with any supporting evidence, eg credit card statement (see if can get duplication), airline records (did she claim Asia Miles, etc.). Banks and airlines keeps records forever so these things can be easily checked by the police and this will put her in the clear.


It does sound like the employer is being a bit vindictive and has chosen this way to get back at her. From the little you have said, the employer doesn't have a case, yet the police will still have to follow through. FYI, the police don't decide whether or not to prosecute. The police gather the facts in the case to pass on to the Justice Dept. so it is unlikely she will be in handcuffs tomorrow.

She can and I would suggest should have a solicitor present during the interview.

Nothing can beat having enough evidence to show that it is bona fide claim. Agree with Claire that she should bring along her employment contract and some form of evidence that she has made the trip.


She should ask the police for a copy of the complaint filed against her by her employer. Don't know whether HK police will release it to her.

And if it's a HK matter (at first I thought it might be a Bahrain issue) then you can rest assured that justice will generally prevail - certainly it would in a case like this, provided that the travel claim is in fact bona fide.

Even with an eticket, don't you get a ticket stub? And the stub usually states the price on the last page.

Then did she have to rent a car at her final destination?

Hotel stay?

The company she visited for the work trip will have documentation of her visit.

did she have to sign into a guest log book where she went?

If they bought her lunch then they would have filed an expense report that would have her included on it and would show the trip was buisness related.

If the credit card was cancelled, whoose card was it? Her's? If so she has proof of the charges.


or was this e-ticket based on FF miles?