Business disrupted at Queens Way Barclays Bank branch

A security guard outside Barclays Bank's Queensway Branch in Nairobi where police are said to be investigating the presence of fake currency. [Cyrus Ombati, Standard]

Operations at Barclays Bank, Queens Way Branch in Nairobi were temporarily disrupted after police investigated the presence suspected fake currency which police said could run into billions of shillings.

Reliable sources have told Standard Digital that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is talking about $2m or Sh2bn.

When contacted via text, Ann Nderi from the bank's communications department texted back to Standard Digital saying that the bank would release an official statement.

Standard newspaper Crime Reporter Cyrus Ombati says three people - a foreigner and two Kenyans, have been arrested and police are still investigating. 

Police lead suspect into a waiting vehicle outside outside Barclays Bank's Queensway Branch, Nairobi.

The operation was conducted by officers from Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Photos of crowds standing outside the bank were shared on the interweb as word went round that several people had been arrested while depositing Sh17 billion in foreign currency. Standard Digital is currently verifying the claim. 

Later Barclays explained the police action in a tweet that said police had intercepted a customer who holds a deposit box at its Queensway branch in Nairobi this morning and were investigating its contents.

The bank said it was assisting the authorities to investigate the matter fully. 

A customer who holds a personal safe deposit box at our Queensway branch was this morning intercepted by police at the branch. Police are currently investigating the contents of his safe deposit box. We are assisting the authorities to investigate this matter fully. — Barclays Bank Kenya (@Barclays_Kenya) March 19, 2019

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