/ 9 October 2003

Money stolen from Absa Bank client

Banking group Absa has been hit by another internet theft, SABC television news reported on Wednesday. Police and Absa in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, were investigating claims made a client that R52 000 was withdrawn from his account.

Vusimuzi Bhengu, who does not use internet banking, found his money had disappeared from his market-linked account via the internet over two days in May this year.

He said he had approached Absa about the disappearance of his money but did not receive any help.

Bank records showed that Bhengu’s money was paid to about ten different people. Bhengu, who is former government employee, said the money was part of his pension payout.

Although Bhengu claimed that he had so far not received help from Absa, SABC television news reported it was willing to pay him the R52 000.

Earlier this year, Johannes Fourie of Bellville in the Western Cape was charged with hacking about half-a-million rand from accounts of Absa clients. – Sapa