Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Guyanese woman allegedly attempted to leave VI with over $12K undeclared cash

- Grace Elizabeth Fung-Fook arrested & charged; Granted bail
Grace E. Fung-Fook was reportedly about to board a LIAT flight to St Maarten on March 24, 2021, when some $12,604.47, along with other foreign currencies, was discovered in Fung Fook's luggage by Customs Officers at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A Guyanese woman has been arrested and charged for allegedly failing to declare monies to customs while seeking to depart the territory, our newsroom has been informed by senior police sources.

According to information reaching our newsroom, Grace Elizabeth Fung-Fook, 21, who resides at West End, Tortola was arrested for the alleged offence of Failure to Declare Monies to Customs on March 24, 2021.

Fung-Fook was reportedly about to board a LIAT flight to St Maarten when some $12,604.47, along with other foreign currencies, was discovered in Fung Fook's luggage by Customs Officers at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.

$$ found in luggage & backpack

Our newsroom was told that $7000.00 was discovered in a white envelope in her luggage and the remainder in her backpack.

Fung-Fook allegedly declined a $5000.00 fine.

Bail was; however, granted in the sum of $7000.00 with one signed surety and was scheduled to make an appearance at the Magistrate’s Court today, March 25, 2021.

44 Responses to “Guyanese woman allegedly attempted to leave VI with over $12K undeclared cash”

  • investigators (25/03/2021, 16:08) Like (3) Dislike (15) Reply
    mr commissioner & mr governor & mr commission of inquiry you see who contributing to tranishing this british overseas territory. the european folks does electonics movements of their dirty money under the business address
  • Lord have mercy (25/03/2021, 16:08) Like (81) Dislike (17) Reply
    That sounds like a genuine mistake, soneone just hd enough and decided to take their money from the bank and head for their country without knowing the $10,000.00 declaration law, Please have some understanding, empathy and compassion gave the lady her money back and let her be, let her leave in peace... Thnk you.!
    • missed (25/03/2021, 16:35) Like (19) Dislike (23) Reply
      not a misrake if she is trying to seperate curries and hide money on different bags there was also other currency. What was he employment here in the BVI or was she on a long holiday dancing the night away?
      • kmt (26/03/2021, 21:54) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        And even if she was dancing the night away. HOW IS THAT YOUR BUSINESS?? WHO STOPPING YOU FROM DANCE? TORTOLA IS A HARD PLACE FOR ANYONE TO SURVIVE WITH A MINIMUM WAGE OF $6PER HOUR. LET PPL BE GREAT AND DO WHAT THEY WANT TO SURVIVE.
    • Mary (25/03/2021, 16:47) Like (34) Dislike (5) Reply
      I agree with the previous comments. . The poor woman may have been saving her money to take home.. I trust that the courts have mercy on her. I trust she can prove her source of funds.
    • half full (25/03/2021, 16:59) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Lord have mercy, I agree! Probably saved it rather than pay the government tax sending via MoneyGram.
    • Really (26/03/2021, 09:11) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
      If it were a genuine mistake why did she separate it as she did. She knew exactly what she was doing.
      • Oh Please (27/03/2021, 13:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        I always separate my money when I'm traveling.Plus on a regular I don't keep my money one place in my bag. I have in my purse,in the pockets of my bag and sometimes in my pants pocket. So who are you to judge and ask why she separate the money.
  • omg (25/03/2021, 16:35) Like (29) Dislike (5) Reply
    So her name is just big and bold just because of this? That could've been hardworking money. Wow. Just wow.
  • Hmm (25/03/2021, 16:48) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    It’s the “last name for me”
  • ... (25/03/2021, 16:55) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    Small cakes that’s the woman money she work for after all the taxes and what’s not
  • omg (25/03/2021, 17:09) Like (30) Dislike (5) Reply
    My heart ache for this women. It’s obvious she was moving back home after working hard and saving for a better life in her country. The bail my goodness is too high. Where is the government compassion. Sad very sad.
  • Mefeng (25/03/2021, 17:35) Like (24) Dislike (4) Reply
    Give the woman her money
    • Me (26/03/2021, 10:32) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Not condoning her, but she must have worked for over 20 yrs to accumulate this and now returning home can't afford money gram.
      • x (26/03/2021, 14:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Work for over 20 years? She's only 21.
      • Trissanne (28/03/2021, 08:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        If she's a waitress like myself you can save the money in less that s year combined with salary. As for difference currencies... Everyone knows we welcome Europeans(most from cruise ship) Alot of they pay with euros. When I'm going home on vacation I have different currencies as well. I was once stopped by customs but I explained my reason for all the monies and currencies. Maybe she didn't have a valid reason, I don't know. But I hope if it's genuinely her money that they give her back! Some of these custom officers are just mean when half of them are the ones running scam and helping to bring in illegal drugs, weapons and launder money.
  • mistake (25/03/2021, 17:45) Like (21) Dislike (11) Reply
    Everybody knows that over $10,000 should be declared and if even worse if she doesn't have evidence to show where the money has come from so she forfeited her right to that money. I think if she can prove where the money has come from then she can get it back. Good luck to her.
  • island man (25/03/2021, 17:48) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Tola too voll-eh!
  • Prove it (25/03/2021, 17:50) Like (9) Dislike (16) Reply
    Simple! Prove it! If can’t prove it; it’s dirty money!!
    • i see (25/03/2021, 22:51) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
      @prove it “ the 3 people who dislike that comment are criminals. They’re not going to have anything positive in life. Ain’t me it’s them.
  • Institutional Racism (25/03/2021, 18:01) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply

    Yet when the Disgraced Racist Bigot G*s leaves with hundreds of thousands (all tax free) it’s ok???

  • Let’s see... (25/03/2021, 18:03) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Let’s see how much the sycophant crony Mick leaves with......

    No doubt his white privilege will mean it’ll be a non-issue!
  • musa (25/03/2021, 18:34) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    Sorry but the law is the law good luck
    • ? (29/03/2021, 09:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      What law did she break ... where does it say you can not leave with money ..? only you can not arrive with out declaring.
  • K (25/03/2021, 18:41) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Leave d woman alone she works hard for her money she c going home leave her olone I would have done d same thing if I were in her shoes
  • school child (25/03/2021, 18:44) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    who actually packs they hard earned money in the check through baggage when traveling on an airplane because most of us know someone can take that suitcase by mistake. most travellers usually takes their money in the carry luggage with them on the plane: any fool will make sure that their money is very well secured especially after working so hard for it. as a matter of facts in this modern world you can transfer your hard earned money via banks from island to island
  • money money money (25/03/2021, 18:49) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    and yet......there are hundreds of employers who rob their staff of nhi and social security monies and dont declare it to the authorities...they dont pay it in on behalf of their staff.....how many have you heard of them being prosecuted......zero zero zero........
    everything is so upside down
  • u (25/03/2021, 19:41) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    What is ten thousand u know how long she been saving let d women go with her d**m money in peace
    • @ U (25/03/2021, 20:15) Like (12) Dislike (7) Reply
      it is amazing how some come into the island and want to disregard the laws
      • Claretta (26/03/2021, 09:38) Like (5) Dislike (32) Reply
        Shut your damn mouth the law is only for some people you and I both know that. Am sure you break the law many times and if it was your money you want anyone to take your money from you people need to be more sympathetic to others weather they from here or not it is just heart wreaking.
  • Mr. Hodge (25/03/2021, 21:07) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is an unfortunate situation. She could have separated her money in the event something happens she wouldn’t lose All your cash. There are people walking around here regular-degular with more than that on them. Y’all please remember that cash is micro- chipped so they’ll know you have it. It’s not illegal to have cash but it’s illegal not to declare it. The problem with declaring cash is you never know if someone crooked will set you up to get robbed. Stay under 10k and keep it movin’. But why would a person need to declare cash leaving? That’s a matter for the authorities where she is going, no???
  • Queen (25/03/2021, 21:34) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    One just can't win in this BVI. They don't want you here, you try leaving with what is yours, they turn around and try taking everything from you.
  • Really (25/03/2021, 22:14) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    it have man out there giving woman $10 thousand easy
    Let the woman be with her money but she should know better not to carry so much or declare it
    Now look how much bail smh
  • Yes (25/03/2021, 22:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ii wonder how s m T R does feel w s t p tm m a g t t government
  • Guyanese (26/03/2021, 02:49) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    And the USD.
  • 5k (26/03/2021, 02:54) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Soo many stories heard about this ......
  • BREAKING NEWS (26/03/2021, 08:36) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    from way back then to now women have been used to transport money out of the virgin islands especially if she a pretty girl: babylon pay more attention to men and always ready to serach the male traveller
  • farmer (26/03/2021, 09:16) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
    I know her, she was saving up for vet school back home. That was her savings for her program. And knowing how BVI has been locking down the whole economy and still is only recent they opened up to people being able to leave, remember the BVI has been restricting people being able to work, live, stay, leave, with a changing story every time reopening date comes around. While the hardworking little people get fined, and stopped from doing business or just living, the real criminals seem to be the ones getting away with everything while maintains government jobs. They shouldn’t have taken her money and fine her and incriminate this young 21 year old. They didn’t need to do that to her. That’s not right.
  • Travel Notice (26/03/2021, 14:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The law can be averted by traveling with someone else such as relatives, then you increase amount without declaring the cash.

    1 adult 2 children can carry 29 999.00 cash!
  • Sara -Lee J (26/03/2021, 18:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    EMPLOYEE'S TAX, NHI & SS MONIES GOING QUIETLY NO NAMES IN THE PAPER ABOUT ARREST....Just saying.
  • question (27/03/2021, 07:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Was a crime committed? If one was should it therefore goes unpunished?
  • Yes I (28/03/2021, 08:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So the money aint good for woman but it good for the Government carry on
  • Legality (29/03/2021, 09:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is it Illegal to leave with money? I know the USA says you have to declare if entering with more then 10K, but where in the BVI law says you are not allowed to leave? I may be suspicious, but is it actually illegal ?


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.