KUALA LUMPUR: Another case of missing funds from the accounts of customers, this time involving RM2mil in losses, has been detected at a bank in Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf (pic) said a police report was lodged on July 9.
“There were unauthorised transactions from the current accounts of two customers to a third-party account, believed to be conducted by a bank staff.
“It was uncovered after the account holders went to the bank to make a withdrawal on June 27 but discovered the funds had been transferred.
“Checks revealed some certificates of the current accounts had been closed, but the customers denied having done so,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
An investigation by the bank management found that one of their personnel made the withdrawal, he said.
“The funds were deposited to several other accounts. However, the personnel, who is the main suspect, died on July 5. We are still investigating despite this development,” he said.
Comm Ramli said financial institutions must conduct thorough investigations on any unauthorised transaction.
“Banks must not blame customers for losses suffered from banking fraud unless they have proof that customers failed to protect their personal details.
“A recent report in The Star stated that a mule account holder was brought to various banks to open accounts without being questioned by bank officers.
“There is involvement of bank officers with syndicates to enable easier opening of accounts by individuals posing as mule company owners to facilitate the transfer of funds,” he said.
Thirteen people, including four bank employees, were detained recently in connection with millions of ringgit that vanished.
Arrests were mostly made in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with one suspect caught in Padang Besar, Perlis.
