- Banker accused of stealing from customers - Judgment awaited
For nearly four years, money was secretly siphoned from the accounts of wealthy elderly private customers at a bank in Mönchengladbach, totaling approximately one million euros. Since early July, a bank employee has been standing trial at the district court. The 54-year-old is accused of commercial fraud, commercial breach of trust, and commercial forgery. The trial continues on Wednesday (9:30 AM), with the verdict expected then.
At the outset, the defendant admitted to raiding the accounts of primarily wealthy elderly customers. "It was like a high," the former wealth manager said. Among his tasks were transfers and cancellations for bank customers. In 44 cases, he allegedly forged the necessary second signature and submitted the seemingly authorized transfers.
Between June 2018 and April 2022, he is said to have embezzled nearly 900,000 euros and transferred it to a joint account with his wife at another bank. Additionally, over 100,000 euros ended up in his mother-in-law's account. However, a colleague became suspicious and informed the bank's internal audit. Most customers only noticed the loss when informed by the bank.
The theft took place at the bank in Mönchengladbach, and the case is being heard at the Court of First Instance. Despite his admissions, the defendant is facing multiple charges, including commercial fraud, breach of trust, and forgery, in this trial.
