Employee charged for forging BANC ABC IDs

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Court Correspondent

A bank employee has appeared in court for allegedly forging clients' identity documents to transfer funds from old VISA debit cards to new ones issued under his name.

Nyasha Dean Chigiyegiye was arraigned before Harare Magistrate Isheunesu Matova on fraud charges. He was granted US$300 bail and is expected back in court on March 12, 2025.

The complainant, Africa Banking Corporation of Zimbabwe Limited (BANC ABC), is represented by its Security and Investigations Manager, Mr. Yusuf Zimbiri.

Prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi told the court that in 2022, BANC ABC began replacing its old VISA debit cards, requiring clients to present valid identification to obtain new ones and authorize fund transfers.

However, in 2023, Chigiyegiye, a Business Intelligence Analyst at the National Banking Society, allegedly conspired with Takunda Trevor Munyati, a former BANC ABC employee, to defraud the bank.

Between September 20 and October 23, 2023, the duo allegedly forged identity documents of 11 account holders, replacing their photographs with Chigiyegiye’s while retaining their details. In some cases, they altered dates of birth to match his age.

Using the fraudulent IDs, Chigiyegiye reportedly applied for new debit cards at various BANC ABC branches and successfully transferred funds from the victims' accounts.

The scheme was later uncovered, leading to his arrest. Investigations are ongoing.