Barclays Bank of Kenya bank has revealed on Thursday that it is using sniffer dogs to ascertain and assure the public that there is no threat posed by the items contained in the safe deposit boxes.
This is after fake $20 million notes were found in a deposit box at its Queensway branch on Tuesday.
In a statement seen by Daily Active, Chief Executive Jeremy Awori said the bank will also not take any new safe deposit boxes as it works with customers to review existing boxes.
“We recognise that the incident involving our safe deposit boxes has raised concerns for customers and the public and I would like to personally assure you that this matter is being taken extremely seriously at the highest levels of the organisation,” said Awori.
Sniffer dogs can be trained to detect substances such as explosives, drugs, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
The bank also reiterated that the fake dollars were not part of the bank of deposits assuring customers that all currency dispensed over the counters and ATMs is genuine.
“We continue to cooperate and assist the investigating authorities including proactively reporting and handing over a second safe deposit box owned by the customer under investigation,” added Awori.
While assuring customers that the bank has complied with local and global regulatory requirements, Awori said the bank is taking the extra precautionary measures in response to the emergence of new financial crime risks associated with the use of the service.
He confirmed that two of the bank’s employees, who had been arrested alongside the owner of the safety box and three other aspects, have been released and are assisting the police with investigations.
The bank had in an earlier statement clarified that the contents of safe deposits are only known to the customer.