New Zealand police are investigating three Middle Eastern men who tried to enrol in a diving course that would teach them how to use explosives.
The three signed up for a commercial diving course in Hamilton but after paying $NZ8,000 ($A7,470) each, two of them failed to show up, the Sunday Star-Times newspaper reported.
The other man attended only the first session and none has since tried to get their money back.
The incident has prompted fears terrorists could be trying to learn how to carry out underwater attacks.
New Zealand police launched an inquiry into the incident, which occurred about six months ago, and investigations are now being dealt with at a national level.
"The matter regarding the dive school is subject to an active inquiry but we are unable to make any further comment at this stage," police spokeswoman Sarah Martin said.
Alan Strong, owner of Hamilton's Dive HQ, said he had notified police about the three men, but said officers missed the chance to seize closed circuit TV footage of the trio because they did not follow up the matter until weeks later.
The dive school cameras automatically tape over their security footage at the start of each month.
"I do not know if they were terrorists, but to have these three Middle Eastern guys, and then they never come back for their money, is not a New Zealand thing at all. It was unusual," said Strong.
"They had no diving experience at all so we enrolled them on a three-month learners course. The one that did turn up rang the next week and said he had broken his leg and arm but we've never heard from them since."
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/29/1040511253218.html
