Canadia bank teller tried for nearly $3 million heist

A former Canadia Bank employee accused of stealing $2.7 million from the bank last year was tried by Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday.

Former chief accountant Yet Sopheaktra, 30, was charged with breach of trust for theft of company finances, said presiding judge Kor Vandy.

Sun Saonin, 33, the boyfriend of Sopheaktra, along with her mother, Chak Kimheng, 59, have also been charged as accomplices, along with former Canadia Bank ATM controller Leng Sunly, 34.

“Sopheaktra and her boyfriend Sun Saonin are gamblers. They stole money from Canadia Bank to play games at a casino in Phnom Penh,” said Vandy, adding that all four were arrested on October 3.

During the hearing yesterday, Sopheaktra admitted to withdrawing the enormous sum by creating two bank cards for Kimheng and three for her friend Tep Winchanthy, who remains at large.

“I withdrew $2.3 million from Canadia Bank between March and October to buy land in Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Cham provinces. I spent the rest gambling in a casino,” she said, adding that she was solely responsible for withdrawing the cash.

Saonin admitted that he knew Sopheaktra had withdrawn $10,000 last year.

Sunly, Saonin, and Kimheng denied any involvement during the trial yesterday.

Canadia Bank representative Child Vann said yesterday that technology experts had spotted the accounting discrepancy and reported the missing money to branch managers.

The verdict is to be delivered on April 25.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/canadia-teller-tried-nearly-3-million-heist