N$30m depositor needs mental check

By: WERNER MENGES

A FRAUD suspect who is alleged to have made a fake deposit of N$30 million at an automated teller machine about three months ago should undergo a period of psychiatric observation, a Windhoek magistrate ordered yesterday.

Fraud suspect Warren Amos Mumbone (42) has a history of mental illness, his defence lawyer, Brian Kauta, told Magistrate Ingrid Unengu when Mumbone appeared before her in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
Kauta asked the magistrate to order that Mumbone should be referred for mental observation to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
With no objection from Public Prosecutor Phineas Nsundano to Kauta’s request, Magistrate Unengu made an order referring Mumbone for mental observation.
Mumbone is charged with a count of fraud.
It is alleged that he had made a fraudulent deposit at an ATM of Standard Bank Namibia in Windhoek on April 6.
Mumbone allegedly went big, claiming to have deposited no less than N$30 million at the ATM. In fact, an empty envelope was deposited, it is alleged. Astoundingly, the deposit was cleared at the bank and the amount was reflected as a credit in Mumbone’s bank account.
He then allegedly started spending the money, buying goods and making various cash withdrawals before he was arrested on April 20.
The deposit was reversed by the bank on April 17, but by then, it is alleged, he had managed to use N$17 704 of the money that had been reflected on his account.
Nsundano told Magistrate Unengu that the investigation of the case has not been completed yet. An aspect still being investigated is which bank official cleared the funds that were claimed to have been deposited at the ATM, he said.
After his appearance in court Mumbone told The Namibian that he actually has an investment of US$860 million waiting for him in an American bank.
Adding a musical twist to his tale, Mumbone claimed the money had been paid to him by the Jackson Five. He also claimed that he was related to the group of world-famous musicians through his father, and that they had paid him the money as alimony.
He further claimed that he had been a member of the US Marine Corps, and that he had been attached to the Pentagon in the United States at one stage.
The magistrate told Mumbone that he would have to remain in custody until his next scheduled court appearance, on October 3.

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