December 20,2022

Ojinmah Chinwendu Iyanda, a Nigerian entrepreneur, has narrated how ₦390,000 disappeared from her Zenith Bank despite not having an ATM card or a personal identification number (PIN) which could have been compromised.

Iyanda, who resides in Lagos State, told FIJ on December 18 that she became aware of the disappearance on December 5, when she wanted to carry out a transaction.

She further stated that she immediately contacted her account officer, Amarachi Adelodun, to file a complaint and recover her money

She said her complaint passed through Adelodun Oguh, Apapa branch head; Zenith Bank’s fraud desk and other official channels but nothing happened.

“When I wanted to do a transaction on December 3, I shockingly saw that my money fell short of ₦390,000. Having observed this questionable event, my first point of communication was my account officer,” Iyanda told FIJ.

She explained that her communication with Adelodun led her to reach out to Oguh, who was said to be in a better position to resolve the issue.

“I explained the scenario to Adelodun, my account officer, and she asked me a series of questions to determine if I had knowledge of the unauthorised transactions. I told her I never approved such transactions,” she said.

“Moreover, since I created the account, I have never obtained an ATM card, and I do not use a PIN. I also do not link the account to their mobile app.

“I only restrict my transactions on the account to internet banking and I cannot finalise a transaction without a ‘token’. It is now very surprising and indeed questionable how such a huge amount would leave my account without my knowledge.

“The account officer said the fraudster took the money via internet banking but she couldn’t tell me how it was possible to authenticate the process without sending a ‘token’ to my registered line.

“I also need to add that my phone has always been with me. In fact, I was at my mother’s residence when this event happened. It was only myself and my mother that were in her house; no third person was with us.

“As far as I know, I did not at any point compromise my account information. I really want the bank to tell me how my account security was compromised

“I never knew a day like this would come, when a substantial part of my business money would vanish from my account, an otherwise reliable place to keep money.”

RECIPIENTS OF THE MONEY

According to the information received by FIJ, the money was stolen from Iyanda’s Zenith Bank account piecemeal. The total amount was deposited into two bank accounts.

On December 3, N300,000 was sent to Cheetahpay Nigeria Ltd’s GTBank account. Evidence also shows that one Eyefia Fredrick was a recipient of N90,000.

FIJ also found that Cheetahpay is a financial and communications solution company in Lagos State.

NO RESOLUTION IN SIGHT

Asked whether the bank had responded to her emails, Iyanda answered in the negative

“It is sad that the bank did not see it worthy to respond to my emails. I am disappointed that not even as little as an acknowledgement was sent to me after sending emails multiple times,” he said.

“Adelodun agreed with me that the manner in which the money left my account was fraudulent and then advised me to email their fraud desk. She also directed me to chat with Oguh.

“While chatting with my account officer, I told her I suspected this to be an inside action.

“I chatted with Oguh on WhatsApp and she later called me on phone so that they would investigate the circumstances surrounding this issue. She told me the person used my ‘token’.

“How could that be possible? I need an explanation. My phone has always been with me. On the said days, my phone was with me and I am sure no intruder took my phone.”

The bank failed to provide information requested by FIJ on Sunday. Rather, they asked this reporter to advise Iyanda to reach out for help