Sh149 Million DTB Scandal: Former Branch Manager, Assistant Charged in Alleged Multi-Year Bank Heist
A major fraud case has rocked Kenya's banking sector after a former Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) branch manager, her assistant and a third suspect were arraigned in court over the alleged theft of more than Sh149 million from a customer's account and the bank itself. The case, which is likely to send shockwaves across the financial industry, has raised serious questions about internal controls, oversight mechanisms and how such massive amounts of money could allegedly disappear under the watch of senior bank officials over several years. At the centre of the scandal is former DTB Parklands Branch Manager Salimah Amin Pirbhai , her former assistant Aabid Alkarim Kassam , and Tazim Siji Vissanji , who now face a raft of charges including stealing, money laundering, uttering false documents and making false documents. According to court documents, the three are accused of orchestrating a scheme that resulted in the loss of Sh149,235,387 through a series of transactions allegedly carried out over a number of years. Prosecutors allege that substantial sums were siphoned from an account belonging to customer Rozina Nurdin Patelia while additional funds were allegedly stolen from the bank itself. The charges paint a troubling picture of what investigators believe was not a one-off incident but a prolonged operation that allegedly exploited positions of trust within one of Kenya's leading financial institutions. Former Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) Parklands branch manager Salimah Pirbhal, her assistant Aabid Kassam, and a third suspect have been charged with stealing Sh149.2M from a client's account. ( Video Courtesy Nairobi Timez) pic.twitter.com/zI4uxAJltS Court records indicate that one of the transactions under investigation involves GBP 233,270.17, equivalent to approximately Sh40.5 million, allegedly taken from the customer's account between July 2019 and June 2020. Investigators further allege that additional millions of shillings were withdrawn from the same account through separate transactions spanning several years. Perhaps even more alarming is the allegation that one of the accused persons also stole millions directly from DTB itself while serving in a senior management position at the Parklands branch. If proven, the allegations would represent one of the most significant insider fraud cases involving senior banking officials in recent years. ( lawandpowerkenya.com ) The scandal has once again highlighted a growing concern within the banking industry: insider fraud. For years, customers have been told that banks maintain sophisticated systems designed to detect suspicious transactions, prevent unauthorized withdrawals and protect customer deposits. Yet cases involving insiders continue to emerge, raising uncomfortable questions about whether some fraud schemes succeed not because systems fail, but because the very people entrusted with enforcing those systems allegedly become part of the problem. The allegations are particularly disturbing because they involve individuals who occupied positions that required a high degree of trust and responsibility. Branch managers and senior banking officials are often entrusted with overseeing compliance, protecting customer interests and ensuring adherence to banking regulations. When those entrusted with safeguarding customer funds are themselves accused of participating in fraud, public confidence in the banking system inevitably suffers. The case also raises broader questions about audit mechanisms within financial institutions. How were the alleged transactions processed? Were there warning signs? Did internal audits identify irregularities? If so, when were they detected and what action was taken? These are questions that many customers will undoubtedly be asking as the case moves through the courts. Kenya's banking sector has invested heavily in promoting digital banking, financial inclusion and public trust. However, trust remains the foundation upon which every financial institution is built. Customers deposit their hard-earned money with the expectation that it will be protected by robust systems and ethical professionals. When allegations of this magnitude emerge, they threaten not only the reputation of individual institutions but also public confidence in the broader financial sector. The three accused persons appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Irene Thamara, where they denied the charges brought against them. The court granted bail and bond terms pending further proceedings. The case is expected to attract significant public attention as investigators continue piecing together what prosecutors describe as a complex financial crime involving multiple transactions and substantial sums of money. ( lawandpowerkenya.com ) As the legal process unfolds, many Kenyans will be watching closely. The outcome of the case could provide important answers about how the alleged fraud was carried out, who benefited and whether existing safeguards within the banking system are sufficient to prevent similar incidents in the future. For now, what remains clear is that the allegations have exposed a troubling vulnerability within an industry that depends entirely on trust. The accusation that more than Sh149 million could allegedly be siphoned through individuals occupying senior positions within a bank is a reminder that financial crime does not always come from outsiders. Sometimes, investigators say, the greatest threat may be found inside the institution itself.
Ladun Liadi -
