Fraudsters raid scores of bank accounts

According to police, massive reports of mysterious withdrawals involving amounts ranging from P2,000 to P25,000 have been streaming in.  All the funds were withdrawn from ATMS in South Africa. Police suspect that fraudsters could have skimmed debit cards locally and crossed the border to access the funds.

"Since Saturday, we have received about 50 cases all from Barclays bank. The funds were withdrawn from South African ATMs. Investigations are still ongoing but we suspect it to be a case of debit card skimming," said Assistant Superintendent Keoagile Tau on Wednesday.Although by Wednesday police said they had recorded cases from Barclays clients only, Mmegi has received complaints from clients of four other banks. Barclays Bank Botswana public and media relations manager Sakaeyo Baitshepi confirmed the weekend incidents.