Bank officers questioned

UJUNGPANDANG (JP): Police are questioning at least four employees of Bank Bali over a Rp 557.5 million (US$232,291) fraud, despite having arrested two people as main suspects.

The four, including the branch manager, are being questioned as witnesses in the case, the head of South Sulawesi detectives, Col. Hindarto, said yesterday.

"We need more information from the bank officers to get everything clear," Hindarto said.

The crime was discovered when a businessman, Herman Santosa, reported to police that his money had been illegally withdrawn by unidentified people who had falsified remittances.

The alleged falsified remittances took place from October 1996 until February this year. The police said they could not understand how the bank's staff failed to detect the forged money transfer orders.

"The two men now detained, RB and RP, allegedly falsified Herman's signature and told the bank officials that they were his employees," said Hindarto. Police have seized copies of the alleged forged money transfer forms.

Most of the money had been spent on luxury goods such as cars and motorbikes. The police were only able to recover Rp 9 million.

"One of the men also used some of the money to marry his fiancee early this month," said Hindarto.

Police said they would soon send their dossiers to the Prosecutor's Office. (37/06)