The Police in Rwamagana District are holding a cashier of Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR), Rwamagana branch in connection with theft of Rwf10 million from the bank. Superintendent Richard Rubagumya, the Rwamagana District Police Commander (DPC), said the suspect was arrested yesterday after a tip off. “We arrested her after a tip off from a resident. The whistleblower was part of the deal until they disagreed, on who was to take more money,” he said. BPR Rwamagana branch has been hit by several fraud cases since 2009. The branch manager, Jean Baptist Murengerangoma, said the bank is yet to come up with new standards to increase the security of clients’ cash and general transactions. Murengerangoma said the new standards would help to protect clients’ accounts. “Minimum security measures are expected to root out fraud and enhance consumer trust,” the manager said. He said the branch has lost about Rwf125 million to fraud, citing several incidents where bank officials siphoned money from clients’ accounts. “We have reimbursed clients not less than Rwf 125 million stolen from their accounts by bank officials. But not all clients have been lucky. Where a bank believes a client has been negligent, it may not refund the money,” he said. “We have since expelled eight staff members, including the former bank manger, chief accountant and cashiers,” Murengerangoma added. Murengerangoma said by the beginning of next year, the branches will be manned by armed guards, adding that CCTV cameras would also be installed to boost security. “We shall use Point of Sale (POS) and sms Alerts on transactions. Customers should be vigilant and not share their personal credentials with anybody, knowingly or unintentionally. Criminals continue to innovate and banks have to help customers by being smart.”
