A former employee of Capital and Credit Merchant Bank was brought before the court for writing a letter claiming that a client at the bank had US$550 million ($39 billion) in his account when, in fact, he had a balance of US$1,000 ($71,000).

Sharon Williams pleaded guilty to the forgery when the matter was mentioned in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The court heard that in January this year Williams, who was employed to Capital and Credit Merchant Bank, forged a letter on the bank's letterhead for a client who had a balance of US$1,000 in his account. The letter stated that the client had a balance of US$550 million, and was addressed to a company believed to be Spanish.

Signed

Williams also allegedly signed the letter as the account manager, which was not a position she held at the bank when the letter was written.

The investigating officer told the court that he was yet to determine what benefit Williams would have received from the forgery. He said investigations found that the client for whom the letter was written wanted to make his financial standing seem greater than it was, so he could enter into business with an oil company.

Williams' attorney told the court that he had a character witness to speak on behalf of his client. However, Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown instead ordered a probation report for the accused.

In addition, he also ordered that her fingerprints be taken and extended her bail until October 2, when she is to be sentenced.