RUNDU: Six suspects in the million-dollar fraud case at the Bank Windhoek branch in Opuwo, will appear in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The Namibian Police Force’s Acting Regional Commander in the Kavango East Region, Eino Nambahu, told Nampa on Thursday the suspects, aged between 22 and 30 years, are being held at the Rundu Police Station.

The six men were arrested around 11h00 on Wednesday through an intelligence-led operation with the assistance of Bank Windhoek’s Forensic Department.

According to Nambahu the first suspect was arrested in the bank while trying to withdraw cash over the counter, while the others were picked up at different locations in Rundu.

The alleged mastermind behind the fraud case, Nico Rebebe, reportedly approached the six men, promising them employment on a farm. One of the requirements was for them to open accounts with Bank Windhoek, where he would facilitate their monthly payments.

They then allegedly received amounts varying from N.dollars 200 000 to N.dollars 500
000.

The men are being detained at the Rundu Police Station while further investigations are conducted, while two other suspects are still at large.

Meanwhile, Bank Windhoek has offered a reward of N.dollars 20 000 to anyone with information that could lead to the successful apprehension of Rebebe.

The Namibian Police Force initially reported that Rebebe transferred N.dollars 200 million to two separate bank accounts, and Bank Windhoek has since said the potential loss is less than N.dollars 2 million ‘thanks to vigilant staff action and robust systems and controls within the bank.’

Source: The Namibia Press Agency