Local investors in Samoa are to give evidence against members of an overseas investment company facing charges of false pretence and obtaining money by deception.
The police say more than $US50,000 is alleged to have been involved in the operation, and the trio were arrested before they were able to board a flight to leave the country.
The names of the three defendants on trial this week are suppressed.
The court heard from a witness at the Central Bank of Samoa's foreign exchange division, that the defendants had requested help to transfer money overseas.
The defendants were advised to explain the purpose of the transaction transfer, but instead made two transfers with a local commercial bank, without informing the Central Bank.
The witness said another defendant had tried to open an account with a different bank to send money overseas, but the Central Bank was immediately informed.