A lending manager at Credit Union North in Mount Maunganui helped himself to $280,000 worth of loans over seven years after he created loan accounts under the names of existing customers and then drew the money for himself.
Unemployed Anthony Wilbraham, 44, of Bellevue admitted in Tauranga District Court yesterday 30 charges of fraudulently using a document for a pecuniary advantage, namely cheques and loan documents.
He also pleaded guilty to 14 charges of accessing a computer for dishonest purposes.
The charges each attract a maximum sentence of up to seven years' imprisonment.
The court was told that Wilbraham began his employment with Credit Union North in Mount Maunganui in 1997 and was subsequently promoted to lending manager.
In his position he dishonestly accessed the credit union's computer system on many occasions and paid loans to himself.
Between February 19, 2001 and October 6, 2008 he created loan accounts under the names of existing customers and drew down advances and cashed cheques belonging to his employer totalling $280,592.37. Wilbraham either kept the money for himself or used it to pay off his credit card, pay his Telecom account or power bills.
His former employer is seeking full reparation.
Judge Christopher Harding remanded Wilbraham in custody for sentence on August 10.
Wilbraham is not the first bank manager who has ripped off their employer. In March, Shona Bullen, 47, a Tauranga National Bank regional manager for mobile mortgages was jailed for 2 years after she helped herself to $515,000 worth of mortgages which she had drawn down onto her father's account.
Bullen's father paid back $241,000 from the sale of a property and also paid over $10,000 while Bullen paid $14,200 from her bank account.
To try to conceal her fraudulent activities committed over the 4 years, Bullen had used the computer log-in codes or identities of other bank staff and also took advantage of their temporary absence from their workstations to make the transactions.
Loans manager stole $280,000
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