This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6674411.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Building cheque scam investigated Building cheque scam investigated
(about 2 hours later)
Allegations of cheque fraud at Belfast City Council are being investigated by the police.Allegations of cheque fraud at Belfast City Council are being investigated by the police.
Centring on the Building Control department, it is alleged that a number of cheques were either stolen, altered or, in one case, cashed.Centring on the Building Control department, it is alleged that a number of cheques were either stolen, altered or, in one case, cashed.
Department head Trevor Martin told the BBC no council workers were involved.Department head Trevor Martin told the BBC no council workers were involved.
"It wasn't the staff or systems of the council that was the problem - it was simple theft out of our offices," he said."It wasn't the staff or systems of the council that was the problem - it was simple theft out of our offices," he said.
'Much greater''Much greater'
The problem came to light after a firm of solicitors contacted the council to say that a cheque it had sent as part of a building control application had been cashed for an amount "much greater" than for what it was made out.The problem came to light after a firm of solicitors contacted the council to say that a cheque it had sent as part of a building control application had been cashed for an amount "much greater" than for what it was made out.
The council began an audit and discovered that two other cheques had also disappeared.The council began an audit and discovered that two other cheques had also disappeared.
At least one appears to have been cashed, while the other two were stopped by the banks which had become aware of the problem.At least one appears to have been cashed, while the other two were stopped by the banks which had become aware of the problem.
Mr Martin says the banks involved have declined to say by exactly how much the cheques had been altered.Mr Martin says the banks involved have declined to say by exactly how much the cheques had been altered.
Administrative costsAdministrative costs
A standard fee of about £60 covers the administrative costs for a property search by building control.A standard fee of about £60 covers the administrative costs for a property search by building control.
Such searches ensure that any alterations to a house have been approved and are in line with building regulations.Such searches ensure that any alterations to a house have been approved and are in line with building regulations.
Mr Martin said the PSNI fraud squad was contacted when the theft came to light several weeks ago. Mr Martin said the PSNI was contacted when the theft came to light several weeks ago.
Since then, Belfast City Council has written to the building control departments of all other local councils, and to the Law Society to warn solicitors about the alleged scam.Since then, Belfast City Council has written to the building control departments of all other local councils, and to the Law Society to warn solicitors about the alleged scam.
All mail coming into the Building Control office, which is in temporary premises at Adelaide Street in Belfast, is now being "locked down" as a precaution.All mail coming into the Building Control office, which is in temporary premises at Adelaide Street in Belfast, is now being "locked down" as a precaution.
Detectives at Musgrave Street in the city have begun an investigation.