ST ANN, Jamaica — National Commercial Bank (NCB) employee Khadene Thomas, who appeared in court Friday to answer charges in connection with a multi-million-dollar fraud at the financial institution, has been remanded in custody until February 2.

Meanwhile, the amount allegedly fleeced by Thomas is now almost five times the sum that was initially indicated.

READ: NCB employee charged in multi-million-dollar fraud

It had been alleged that the 36-year-old wealth advisor of NCB’s Ocho Rios branch stole US$30,000 from a customer’s account between July and October last year. She reportedly forged the customer’s signature on a debit instrument after which she debited his account and transferred funds to several accounts, including hers.

Investigators had noted that the amount of the alleged fraud could increase. On Friday, the court was told that the amount in question is now US$143,000.

Thomas was charged with larceny and offences under the Cyber Crimes Act on Monday after a question and answer session with detectives from the Fraud Squad. Friday was her first appearance in the St Ann’s Bay Parish Court.

NCB is Jamaica’s largest commercial bank. Word of irregularities at its Ocho Rios Branch came on the heels of an ongoing fraud investigation at investment firm Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) where losses are expected to be in the billions.

-Akera Davis