Cops probing multi-million dollar fraud at GBTI

– supervisor in custody
Police are investigating a multi-million dollar fraud at Guyana Bank for Industry and Trade (GBTI) that was unearthed earlier this week and an employee has since been held for questioning.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud yesterday told Stabroek News that the bank is still to ascertain the extent of the fraud and when it occurred. According to him, the amount is not yet known but this newspaper understands that the figure may be as high as $75 million and involves the accounts of a local money transfer entity.

Persaud explained that bank officials did find enough evidence of a fraud to report the matter to the police and this led to the arrest of an employee.

That employee, police sources say have been in custody for almost 72 hours and may be charged.

On Tuesday at the bank’s bursary award ceremony for Early Savers’ Club members, Stabroek News asked Chief Executive Officer John Tracey about the alleged fraud, but he refused to comment.

“You’re here to cover this event so let’s not get into other things… call me later,” he said.

When this newspaper called Tracey’s office at the bank’s Kingston headquarters the following day, his secretary said he was out and she didn’t know when he would be back.