Here’s how eCash for truck drivers at Toys ‘R’ Us was supposed to work. Authorized employees would load the cash on drivers’ debit cards, and the drivers would use that money for things like meals, lodging, and repairs to their vehicles. Employees other than drivers are not supposed to load up a debit card with company money, then withdraw cash at an ATM. Yet one man is accused of doing exactly that, taking out $1.89 million over a period of almost three years.

Reuters reports that one of the company’s directors of inbound and outbound transportation loaded up a fleet card and withdrew cash in three different European countries, and those transactions coincided with dates when the employee was traveling there.

He allegedly made a total of 117 transfers from the money meant for the chain’s fleet drivers while not driving a truck, and an ATM surveillance camera caught him making a withdrawal at a cash machine in New Jersey. He began transferring money in May 2013, and the last transfers were made earlier this month. According to the criminal complaint, he withdrew thousands of dollars from ATMs in Europe and at home, and he also transferred around $600,000 to his personal checking account.

The federal government is holding him without bail.

Update: Toys ‘R’ Us sent us this statement about the case:

Because this is an active investigation, we are limited in what we can say publicly at this time. However, we can tell you that integrity is at the center of all we do at Toys”R”Us. Upon discovering the criminal activity internally, we immediately contacted law enforcement so they could begin their own investigation. We will continue to work with the proper authorities on the case and look forward to ensuring justice is served.

Toys “R” Us employee accused by U.S. of $2 million card theft [Reuters]
Toys ‘R’ Us manager used $2M in fraudulent debit cards for lavish European spending sprees, prosecutors say [New York Daily News]

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