Fraudulent release of electrical goods

Three containers of electrical goods worth US$380,000 were shipped from the Far East to South Africa, and from there by rail to another African country. The agent at the discharge port released all three containers to the same consignee, who failed to produce any of the original bills of lading. The same import clerk in the agent's office had released all three containers. The police were notified as the import clerk and the receiver had both disappeared. It subsequently emerged that when the import clerk, who was an experienced employee, had been taken on the ship agent had not obtained any references. A check with his previous employer would have revealed a history of dishonesty.