A former ANZ Samoa bank manager jailed for theft
Seira Malifa pleaded guilty to 306 charges of theft
9 April 2024. A former ANZ Samoa bank manager has been sentenced by the Supreme Court to more than six years in jail, for theft of what the judge called 'a record amount before the courts'.
Seira Malifa pleaded guilty to 306 charges of theft as a servant, for misappropriating SAT1.2 million (over NZ$700,000) from the bank between July 2019 and November 2022.
Senior Justice Vui Clarence Nelson said this was a record amount before the courts.
The court heard the defendant would withdraw the funds by using junior staff to cash and withdraw cheques approved by her.
From July 2018 to August 2022 she used her position and banking knowledge to manipulate the banking procedures to create fictitious loans and deposit accounts in various names, portraying them to be legitimate customers of the bank.
To support her scheme Malifa submitted numerous false documents, including loan applications, fictitious birth certificates, and payslips from various organisations and companies, including government ministries and corporations.
The bank said the defendant accepted no opposition to her instructions.
It said she used her senior position to bypass the bank's strict procedures and influence junior staff.
Justice Nelson said the defendant was described as a "master of deception", who manipulated and bullied staff by using her status.
The judge said there was no apology or restitution made by the defendant for the stolen money.
- RNZI
