KUALA LUMPUR – Police have denied claims that the force had neither responded nor taken action over reports lodged by bank customers who lost millions of ringgit after being allegedly defrauded by a bank manager.
In a statement today, Selangor Deputy Police Chief Deputy Datuk Sasikala Devi Subramaniam said the authorities have received a report lodged by the bank on January 31 over customers’ money being swindled by a bank manager in Selangor.
Sasikala said the probe is still ongoing, explaining that once it has concluded, the investigation papers will be referred to the AGC.
“The case is being investigated by the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department for criminal breach of trust and under Section 408 of the Penal Code.
“Aside from Section 408, the case is also being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001,” she said.
Sasikala said this on the heels of Klang MP Charles Santiago’s allegations that the police and bank in question had not taken action against the banking employee although complaints and reports had been lodged by victims since January.
The Vibes reported yesterday that some 45 victims, all premium account owners, lost millions of ringgit after this particular manager allegedly kept his clients’ bank books, forged their signatures, and withdrew their savings without their knowledge.
Although the manager has since been suspended from his position, Santiago lambasted the bank for keeping mum.
“Six months had passed but the bank has been silent about this matter. It is only raising more questions among the victims of attempts to keep this under wraps,” he said.
He also asked if such scams were orchestrated by just one employee, or if there is more than meets the eye.
“Banks have a fiduciary duty based on trust and such trust must be realised. What is the mechanism? The question here is, how did one individual manage to scam so many people?
“So, are there more people involved in the scam, or is it just one person? We need answers.”
In addition, the MP also called on Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to look into the pressing matter since the central bank is aware of it after complaints had been lodged in January.
Santiago slammed the central bank, questioning why it is “sitting around” and not doing anything about the issue.
The opposition lawmaker said that if BNM refuses to take action, public confidence in the banking institution itself is now at risk.
“It involves millions of dollars and they know which party is involved. What could they (BNM) possibly be waiting for?” – The Vibes, June 27, 2022
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