Cashier Held Over GH¢20,000

Story by Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu

A cashier at the Takoradi Branch of the Merchant Bank who allegedly capitalised on the illiteracy and trust of a customer of the bank to steal a cheque leaflet from the customer’s cheque book, forged his signature and withdrew GH¢20,000 (¢200 million) from his account has been arrested.

The suspect, Aaron Afful, was also alleged to have diverted various sums of other customers’ deposits into the accounts of his creditors as a way of settling debts he owed them.

He has been charged with fraud and is currently being held by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Western Regional Police Command to aid in investigations into the matter.

Daily Graphic investigations revealed that a customer of the bank who could not write always withdrew money with cheques with the assistance of his nephew.

Unfortunately for the customer, a quarry contractor, his nephew was not around on June 15, 2007 when he wanted to withdraw some money for his business. When he went to the bank, he was assisted by Afful to write a cheque for ¢85 million which he signed.

While the contractor was waiting for his money, Afful asked him to give him the cheque book to enable him (Afful) to check something for him. According to Afful’s own confession, he then went back to the office and removed one leaflet which directly followed the white cheque reorder form from the cheque book.

The cashier then allegedly forged the customer’s signature and succeeded in withdrawing ¢200 million.

Unfortunately for Afful, the customer issued a cheque for ¢200 million months later to cover his indebtedness. He was surprised when the creditor came back to tell him that he (the contractor) did not have enough money in his account so the cheque had been dishonoured.

The angry customer then stormed the bank where the records indicated that the said amount had been withdrawn earlier. He then reported to the police and the bank officials were invited.

The contractor said Afful had requested for his (the contractor’s) cheque book to check something for him the day he had gone to withdraw the ¢85 million. He, therefore, believed Afful was a key suspect in the matter.

During investigations, it came to light that the cheque leaflet had been removed by Afful.

Upon interrogation, Afful admitted the offence, as well as the diversion of part of other customers’ deposits into his creditors’ accounts.

He is currently being held by the police in Sekondi for further investigations.