Standard Bank IT operator charged with embezzling R1.9m via overdraft manipulation

A former IT operator at Standard Bank has been granted bail after being accused of embezzling over R1.9 million from the bank.

Vivian Brink, aged 60, made his first court appearance on Tuesday, just a day after his arrest at his home in Rosettenville. 

Brink was arrested on Monday, January 12, on charges of theft and fraud.

According to the Hawks, the alleged offences occurred between January 2014 and November 2017, when Brink was employed as an IT operator at Standard Bank.

“It is alleged that between January 2014 and November 2017, the suspect, who was employed by Standard Bank as an IT operator, manipulated the system on his bank account by increasing the overdraft for his personal gain, and as a result his employer suffered an actual loss of over R1.9 million,” said Thatohatsi Mavimbela.

Brink was granted bail of R5,000 during his first appearance. The matter was postponed to February 3 and was remanded to the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

The Hawks said investigations into the matter are continuing.

Last year, IOL reported that a 38-year-old former bank employee, Rachel Tsakani Bloko, appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court after being arrested for fraud involving more than R130 000.

Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said Bloko allegedly siphoned the money by fraudulently applying for loans in the names of unsuspecting clients.

“The suspect allegedly used the personal credentials of bank clients without their knowledge to apply for personal loans for herself. The victims only became aware of the loans after the bank informed them of unsettled accounts,” Mashaba said at the time.

A warrant of arrest was issued, and Bloko was taken into custody. The case was investigated by the provincial commercial crime investigation unit.

She appeared in court on Tuesday, where she was granted R5 000 bail. 

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