After five hours of interview, Sheppard was arrested and charged with two counts of false pretences and two counts of conspiracy to defraud. He was released on a K3000 (NZ$1170) police bail.
Sheppard was reported by other media to be a former Queensland prosecutor who has lived in Papua New Guinea for more than three decades.
Police did not give any other detail on the charges but the
Post-Courier understands that the investigation and arrest of Sheppard stems from a formal complaint lodged by the Open Member for North Fly Electorate, James Donald, with the Office of the Police Commissioner.