A NatWest bank manager gave £830,000 to a client posing as a 91-year-old man.
27-year-old Umar Mughal approved the transfer of money to a fraudster from a Brentwood branch in Essex.
The bank manager failed to confirm the identity of the client who came into the bank posing as a wealthy 91-year-old-man.
Julia Payne, financial investigator, informed the Old Bailey that Mughal failed to verify the criminal’s signature.
She stated, “From a banking perspective people working in the branches know we could be targeted by a fraudster and to look at documentation to see if it is genuine.”
“As soon as Mr. Mughal sat down he entered the sort code and account number.
“I would have expected to see a signature enquiry as that’s how Mr Mughal told me he identified the customer.”
Mughal reportedly accessed five different accounts during his session with the client and transferred all the money into one account.
Jurors were told that £70,000 was taken from the first account, £10,325 from the second, £73,300 from the third, £23,100 from the forth and £76,600 from the final account.
A private banking manager noticed the questionable activity the next day and raised the alarm.
After speaking to the defendant and launching an investigation at the bank, Mughal admitted he ‘made a mistake’.
Mughal blamed a ‘negative atmosphere’ resulting from ‘colleagues moaning all day’
He also reveals he was trying to have his lunch during the said incident.
“I’ve done one stupid little thing which for me was a stupid thing but for the bank was massive.
Mughal told the court he wanted a take his break and as a result, ignored customer guidelines.
“I just wish I could turn back time and do my job again like I normally do.”
