RIYADH: A Saudi national has lodged a complaint against a local bank for allegedly making financial transactions worth SR840,000 through an account in his name.

He said SR35,000 has been going to various beneficiaries every month without his knowledge, and has urged the authorities concerned to investigate the matter.

“I discovered the scam when I tried to open an account with the bank and found there was another account in my name. An official tried to deal with the matter ‘confidentially’ and resolve it ‘amicably’,” Badr Almalafekh was quoted as saying by a newspaper.

Talat Hafez, head of the Information and Banking Awareness Committee, said such complaints are not a new phenomenon. However, these are isolated cases, he added. The bank in question, he said, has installed the latest system for safeguarding banks and clients.

In another case, the customer of another bank has accused it of withdrawing an installment against loan twice in a month, media reported.

In a complaint with Saudi Arabia Monetary Authority, Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi said: “I waited for three months to recover my salary. The bank withdraws monthly installments in addition to the remaining amount of my salary.”

Hafez said a delay in recovering money could be a technical mistake. “Banks are committed to the contract and in case the amount is delayed by more than 72 hours, the bank is liable to be charged with violation of the rules.”