RIYADH, 24 December — A number of sales officers of Saudi Arabian Airlines in Riyadh are currently being investigated on charges of forgery and embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of riyals.
Assistant director of passenger services of the Saudi airlines noted in a memo sent to a National Commercial Bank branch, where the airline deposits the daily collection from ticket sales and baggage and cargo charges, that last year’s accounts statement issued from the bank did not show deposits made over 48 days.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that 38 employees dealing with domestic and international ticket sales are involved in the scandal. Their names and other personal details have not been made public. However, some of those involved have been working in the company for more than 20 years.
All the involved officials have been working in ticket sales sections in both the domestic and international lounges in Riyadh airport where tickets are sold in the largest numbers, according to airline officials.
Some of the sales officials have reportedly deposited part of the missing sum in the airlines’ account since the scandal broke, the source added.
Though the memo to the bank did not specify the precise sum of money missing in the bank’s account, the source said: "It has been estimated at hundreds of thousands of riyals."
On being contacted, an official at the bank refused to give more details except to say that it recently received a letter asking for the deposit statement for a specified period.
This is the second time this year that the embezzlement at the airlines’ sales offices has been detected. Seven employees were dismissed early this year on establishing their involvement in attempts to cheat the airline with forged documents.
The investigating officials then found that the deposit forms where filled in without recording the amount being deposited and not affixing a seal to confirm that the amount had been properly deposited in the airline’s account.
It was also found that the copies of the deposit forms did not contain the basic details.
The corrupt officials caused the company losses of SR2 million.
Senior airline officials have instructed all sales supervisors to carefully monitor counter sales activities. The employees, who deposit money in the bank accounts, have been asked to fill out the deposit forms properly.
They should also ensure that duplicate copies of the forms carry all required information. They should get the bank seal affixed to the forms to confirm that the money had been deposited in the company account.
The airline had reached a deal with the banks under which the banks will reject all incomplete deposit forms.
