Bank Windhoek warns of scam

BANK Windhoek has warned the public to beware of people masquerading as representatives of the bank while ripping off people in the process.

In a statement, the bank said it had no agreements with LEPOF, under the directorship of one Ojaupyu Siteketa, or ECON, under the directorship of Johan Croeser. These entities are allegedly collecting money from people under the pretext of doing business for Bank Windhoek.It is alleged that the perpetrators are targeting low-income earners.They allegedly tell people that they are involved in a Bank Windhoek project and ask for a registration fee of N$20 to open an account, promising that Bank Windhoek would give the customer between N$5 000 and N$10 000 to start a business.The alleged fraudsters then collect the N$20 and instruct the payees to go to Bank Windhoek to claim access to the fictitious account, the bank says.”Bank Windhoek would like to urge all members of the public that under no circumstances should any funds be handed over to any individual.Bank Windhoek does not have any agreements with third parties to receive funds on the bank’s behalf,” read a statement issued by Bank Windhoek’s Marketing and Corporate Communication Services.However, both Croeser and Siteketa were singing a different tune when they gave their side of the story to The Namibian yesterday.They said there had either been a communication breakdown between them and their potential customers or that there was someone else misrepresenting them.ECON – a company “specialising in charcoal stoves” – was launched recently and is working on its promotional road shows, which are done in collaboration with Rundu-based LEPOF, which says it deals with community project development.Siteketa said people who turn up for ECON product presentations are requested to pay N$20 each to see and take part in the demonstrations.He denied that the money had anything to do with Bank Windhoek.During presentations at Rundu, Croeser was absent while LEPOF did the work.Croeser added that they had informed people about banking products for low-income earners offered by commercial banks, and not just Bank Windhoek.Croeser said he was upset with the bank, as false allegations of being involved in a scam could tarnish his business.The two denied collecting money on behalf of Bank Windhoek, and maintained their innocence.Siteketa said Police in Rundu had questioned suspects in the matter but no arrests had been made.According to Bank Windhoek, the matter has been reported to the Police and investigations are under way.These entities are allegedly collecting money from people under the pretext of doing business for Bank Windhoek.It is alleged that the perpetrators are targeting low-income earners.They allegedly tell people that they are involved in a Bank Windhoek project and ask for a registration fee of N$20 to open an account, promising that Bank Windhoek would give the customer between N$5 000 and N$10 000 to start a business.The alleged fraudsters then collect the N$20 and instruct the payees to go to Bank Windhoek to claim access to the fictitious account, the bank says.”Bank Windhoek would like to urge all members of the public that under no circumstances should any funds be handed over to any individual.Bank Windhoek does not have any agreements with third parties to receive funds on the bank’s behalf,” read a statement issued by Bank Windhoek’s Marketing and Corporate Communication Services.However, both Croeser and Siteketa were singing a different tune when they gave their side of the story to The Namibian yesterday.They said there had either been a communication breakdown between them and their potential customers or that there was someone else misrepresenting them.ECON – a company “specialising in charcoal stoves” – was launched recently and is working on its promotional road shows, which are done in collaboration with Rundu-based LEPOF, which says it deals with community project development.Siteketa said people who turn up for ECON product presentations are requested to pay N$20 each to see and take part in the demonstrations.He denied that the money had anything to do with Bank Windhoek.During presentations at Rundu, Croeser was absent while LEPOF did the work.Croeser added that they had informed people about banking products for low-income earners offered by commercial banks, and not just Bank Windhoek.Croeser said he was upset with the bank, as false allegations of being involved in a scam could tarnish his business.The two denied collecting money on behalf of Bank Windhoek, and maintained their innocence. Siteketa said Police in Rundu had questioned suspects in the matter but no arrests had been made.According to Bank Windhoek, the matter has been reported to the Police and investigations are under way.