FORMER ABSA BANK EMPLOYEES SENTENCED FOR FRAUD
The Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes court sentenced Florika Shenay Owusu (31) and Abongile Tyusha (30), for their involvement in a fraudulent scheme while employed at ABSA Bank. The two who were employed at ABSA were found guilty of multiple counts of fraud, theft, and money laundering. They were sentenced to five years for fraud and theft, and 10 years for money laundering, with four years suspended for five years on the condition that they do not violate the Organised Crime Act during that time. The sentences will run concurrently, covering the fraudulent activities that took place from November 2019 to June 2021.
Owusu, initially stationed at the Patensie branch, and Tyusha transferred to the Dutywa branch, used their access to ABSA’s electronic banking system to carry out fraudulent activities. They were entrusted with unique user codes, which the bank used to trace all transactions performed by its employees. They opened ABSA accounts in the names of deceased individuals and foreign nationals without their knowledge. They issued debit cards for these accounts to facilitate the fraudulent transfers and withdrawals. They identified and reactivated 18 dormant accounts, mainly belonging to foreign passport holders, including deceased South African citizens. These reactivated accounts were then used to funnel stolen funds into the fraudulent accounts created by Owusu and Tyusha.
The stolen funds, totalling over R1 million, were transferred to accounts controlled by the accused, and subsequently withdrawn or spent. The stolen amounts were distributed across various accounts, including those in the names of deceased individuals and one account belonging to a foreign national with an expired passport. While ABSA employees may not disclose any information without the client’s consent.
ABSA’s Internal and police investigations led to the arrest of the two who pleaded guilty during the trial. State Advocate, Lise Keech, argued that a guilty plea is not a sign of remorse and that the bank is the worst place to steal from as there is no other place where people can keep their money safe. The NPA prioritises the prosecution of crime types and criminals that disproportionately undermine South Africans’ safety, the country’s socio-economic well-being, and the rule of law.
