A former Standard Bank IT operator has been released on bail after being accused of defrauding the bank of more than R1.9 million through alleged system manipulation.
The suspect, Vivian Brink (60), appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, a day after his arrest at his Rosettenville home. He faces charges of theft and fraud linked to activities that allegedly took place during his employment at the bank.
According to investigators, the offences are said to have occurred between January 2014 and November 2017 while Brink was working as an IT operator. During this period, he is accused of unlawfully manipulating the bank’s internal systems to increase the overdraft limit on his personal account for financial gain.
Authorities claim that the manipulation resulted in an actual financial loss of more than R1.9 million to the bank.
Brink was granted bail of R5,000 during his first court appearance. The case was postponed to February 3 and transferred to the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for further proceedings.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
The case forms part of a broader effort by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on financial crimes within the banking sector, following several recent cases involving alleged fraud by bank employees.