A Ghanaian man living in the United States has shared the unusual experience he had at a bank when he attempted to withdraw $20,000 in cash from his account.
In a video shared online, the man is seen answering a series of questions from a bank official before the transaction could be completed.
The official first asked about his occupation and source of income. The man explained that he works as a social media influencer and earns money from the content he creates online.
He was then asked what type of content he produces, to which he responded that his work largely focuses on his lifestyle, including his job, travels, family and other aspects of his daily life.
The bank official subsequently asked him to go through a form and explained that the questions were part of measures designed to protect his money.
The official wanted to establish whether the man was making the withdrawal freely or had been manipulated or pressured into doing so.
He was specifically asked whether someone was giving him instructions over the phone or whether he had received an emergency request that prompted him to withdraw the money.
The questions became more detailed as the bank official asked whether he was under pressure, whether a family member had contacted him claiming to be in danger, or whether anyone had told him to provide a false explanation for the withdrawal.
The man responded “No” to the questions.
According to the bank official, such checks are necessary because some customers have been persuaded or pressured into withdrawing large sums of money as part of fraudulent schemes.
While the encounter may appear unusual to some customers in Ghana, large cash withdrawals at Ghanaian banks can also trigger additional verification procedures.
These checks may involve confirming a customer’s identity, verifying the availability of funds, establishing the purpose of the transaction and completing other required banking procedures.
Customers withdrawing substantial amounts of physical cash may also be asked to notify their banks in advance, particularly where a branch needs time to prepare the required amount.
Banks in Ghana also carry out transaction monitoring and other checks aimed at detecting and preventing fraud, money laundering and related financial crimes.
What particularly stood out in the Ghanaian man’s experience in the US was the nature of the questions. Rather than simply confirming the availability of the funds, the bank official sought to determine whether he was being pressured, deceived or directed by another person.
The incident highlights the extent to which banks may go when handling large cash withdrawals, particularly where there could be concerns that a customer is being targeted by fraudsters.
See the video below:
