Two charged with fraud of N$1.2m
Two men briefly appeared in the Magistrate's Court in Windhoek for having defrauded the finance ministry using the name of the European Commission and a forged account number to process a payment of N$1 230 993.78.
The men, Jason Pickard, 32, and Joseph Iindongo, 33, who were arrested on Thursday, made a brief appearance before Magistrate Ndapewa Celma Amadhila yesterday morning.
Prosecutor Bernadine Bertolini, given the serious nature of the offences of fraud, forgery and uttering of forged instruments and theft, as well as the fact that the value involved is in excess of N$1.2 million, opposed bail.
“The investigation in the case is still in its infancy and the state fears that if granted bail the accused will interfere with ongoing investigations and/or state witnesses in the matter,” Bertolini argued.
It is alleged that the two, on 16 April 2018, at the finance ministry in Windhoek pretended to ministry employee Brumhilde !Gaes that account number 60003016918 held at Standard Bank, belonged to the European Commission and thereby induced her to process payment in the amount of N$1 230 993.78. The account allegedly belongs to Allu J Cash Loans.
They are charged with forging the banking details and documents of the European Commission.
The state further alleges they offered those forged documents to !Gaes, and the two are also charged with theft in connection with the incident.
Trevor Brockerhoff, appearing in defence of Pickard, noted the state's objection but told the court the amount mentioned is only a potential loss, adding that the actual loss is only N$30 000.
Amadhila postponed the matter to 5 June for a formal bail application and to allow Iindongo to secure the services of a lawyer.
FRED GOEIEMAN
The men, Jason Pickard, 32, and Joseph Iindongo, 33, who were arrested on Thursday, made a brief appearance before Magistrate Ndapewa Celma Amadhila yesterday morning.
Prosecutor Bernadine Bertolini, given the serious nature of the offences of fraud, forgery and uttering of forged instruments and theft, as well as the fact that the value involved is in excess of N$1.2 million, opposed bail.
“The investigation in the case is still in its infancy and the state fears that if granted bail the accused will interfere with ongoing investigations and/or state witnesses in the matter,” Bertolini argued.
It is alleged that the two, on 16 April 2018, at the finance ministry in Windhoek pretended to ministry employee Brumhilde !Gaes that account number 60003016918 held at Standard Bank, belonged to the European Commission and thereby induced her to process payment in the amount of N$1 230 993.78. The account allegedly belongs to Allu J Cash Loans.
They are charged with forging the banking details and documents of the European Commission.
The state further alleges they offered those forged documents to !Gaes, and the two are also charged with theft in connection with the incident.
Trevor Brockerhoff, appearing in defence of Pickard, noted the state's objection but told the court the amount mentioned is only a potential loss, adding that the actual loss is only N$30 000.
Amadhila postponed the matter to 5 June for a formal bail application and to allow Iindongo to secure the services of a lawyer.
FRED GOEIEMAN
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