Eight suspects named in Rp 33b bank scam
Apriadi Gunawan, Medan
At least eight suspects had been named in an embezzlement case involving Rp 33 billion (US$3.7 million) in the Medan branch of Bank Danamon after North Sumatra Police charged the wife of its head teller.
The woman, identified only by her initials as ES, 32, is the wife of Usriadi who had earlier been arrested for his key role in the case.
North Sumatra Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Satria Hari Prasetya said on Wednesday ES was officially declared a suspect as she allegedly received a bank transfer of Rp 790 million from her husband.
The police also confiscated two houses of the suspect at the Malibu Indah housing complex in the provincial capital of Medan, which were allegedly bought using the ill-gotten money from Bank Danamon.
ES was officially charged after questioning that revealed that her husband transferred the fund to her through the account of another suspect named only as An, Satria said.
He added that the money was later used by ES to buy a plot of land and a luxury house in Medan,
Satria however said ES remained free as she was only placed under city arrest, in order to allow her to breast-feed her baby.
"The leniency granted is not intended to discriminate against other suspects. It is merely for humanitarian considerations because she has a baby to breast-feed," Satria argued.
He said the eight suspects included only two employees of the bank -- Usriadi and cashier Mir, while six others were outsiders -- ES, An, HT, RD, WHH and MHA.
Usriadi told police investigators that at least five other outsiders, who are all his friends, also enjoyed the money stolen from the bank. They were identified only by their initials as Br, In, Ah, Ac and Sa.
The scam, which hit the Medan branch of Danamon Bank on Jl. Diponegoro, was uncovered on April 13, 2004, when the management was conducting a book audit.
The audit showed that more than Rp 33 billion was missing.
The police said the embezzlement may have been motivated by Usriadi's debt problem as he had to repay huge debts he incurred due to gambling losses and his involvement in a multi-level marketing business.