INGENIOUS BANK FRAUD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14566, 31 December 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

INGENIOUS BANK FRAUD.

SYSTEM A TIC EMBEZZLEMENT.

It was Mated at the Cuildhall that, owing to the collusion of two cashiers, the Mercantile Bank of London, Moorgate-streel, had been serionslv defrauded.

Robert- George West, 26. of Clenfield Road, Balham, pleaded guilty to embezzling £40, and threw himself upon the mercy of the Court. The magistral?, at the earnest, desire of the prosecution, consented to deal summarily with the case, and ordered him three months' imprisonment in the second division.

Mr. A. S. Can*, appearing for the bank, said West was a ledger cierk and cashier. Owing to certain suspicious circumstances with regard to the books, the manager made inquiries, and on November 8 the prisoner went to him, and said he had a confession to make. He charged himself with misappropriating £20 on September 3, £10 on the 7th, and £10 on the 12th.

All payments over the counter were entered in the paying-book kept by West, and also in the cheque ledger, which was in charge of another cashier. West, had misappropriated suing which were entered as having been paid over the counter in respect of cheques that had been presented, and, so far as- the totals were concerned, his cut lies corresponded with those in the cheque, ledger. Obviously, lie and the other cashierwho had since absconded—had been acting in collusion. Mr. Myer:?, on behalf of West, declared that this system was suggested to mm by one in a position a little superior to his own at a moment when lie was worried through having got into the hands of moneylenders and belting men. A heavy doctor's bill, owing to his wife's serious illness, was the original cause of his getting into debt. The other clerk had had the bulk of the money. Mr. Savill, the clerk, inquired how much the Mercantile Bank had lost. Mr. Carr replied that, he could not say, as the investigation was still proceeding*.