Man (21) arrested for N$5 million fraud
A 21-year-old man, Nghiiwa Nghidipohamba, appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, accused of defrauding a Windhoek woman of more than N$5 million.
It remains unclear whether the money was stolen in a single transaction or over multiple transactions.
Nghidipohamba allegedly posed as a Bank Windhoek employee to deceive the victim.
According to court records, he is accused of fraudulently obtaining personal banking information from Lydia Bauman by impersonating a bank official on 13 April. The case was initially registered at the Kappsfarm Police Station, located on the outskirts of Windhoek.
The charge sheet indicates that through false representation, Nghidipohamba persuaded Bauman to share sensitive financial details, resulting in a loss of N$5 067 449.12.
Possible syndicate
Oshana regional police commander Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria confirmed the arrest yesterday and noted that Nghidipohamba is a student at a college in Ondangwa.
A suspected syndicate of scammers had allegedly transferred N$180 000 into the suspect's bank account, Sakaria added.
“He went to the bank to activate an app that would allow him to access the funds, and that’s when the police were alerted and responded swiftly. It appears a substantial amount of money was stolen and distributed in smaller amounts to various individuals to make the transactions more difficult to trace," he said.
"This is a common tactic – some recipients receive the money unknowingly, while others are fully aware they are handling illicit funds,” the police commissioner noted.
Public prosecutor Tony Bock, representing the State, argued that Nghidipohamba acted with the intent to defraud and was fully aware that the information he provided was false. He faces a charge of fraud.
Magistrate Nelao Ya France presided over proceedings and ordered that the accused be transported to Windhoek, where the case is officially registered. The matter has been transferred to the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court and postponed to 2 May.
It remains unclear whether the money was stolen in a single transaction or over multiple transactions.
Nghidipohamba allegedly posed as a Bank Windhoek employee to deceive the victim.
According to court records, he is accused of fraudulently obtaining personal banking information from Lydia Bauman by impersonating a bank official on 13 April. The case was initially registered at the Kappsfarm Police Station, located on the outskirts of Windhoek.
The charge sheet indicates that through false representation, Nghidipohamba persuaded Bauman to share sensitive financial details, resulting in a loss of N$5 067 449.12.
Possible syndicate
Oshana regional police commander Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria confirmed the arrest yesterday and noted that Nghidipohamba is a student at a college in Ondangwa.
A suspected syndicate of scammers had allegedly transferred N$180 000 into the suspect's bank account, Sakaria added.
“He went to the bank to activate an app that would allow him to access the funds, and that’s when the police were alerted and responded swiftly. It appears a substantial amount of money was stolen and distributed in smaller amounts to various individuals to make the transactions more difficult to trace," he said.
"This is a common tactic – some recipients receive the money unknowingly, while others are fully aware they are handling illicit funds,” the police commissioner noted.
Public prosecutor Tony Bock, representing the State, argued that Nghidipohamba acted with the intent to defraud and was fully aware that the information he provided was false. He faces a charge of fraud.
Magistrate Nelao Ya France presided over proceedings and ordered that the accused be transported to Windhoek, where the case is officially registered. The matter has been transferred to the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court and postponed to 2 May.
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