Former Deutsche Bank Singapore relationship manager faces six years in jail after pleading guilty to duping a late philanthropist's daughter of S$2 million.

A former relationship manager at Deutsche Bank Singapore has been sentenced to six years in jail after being found guilty of duping his client and committing fraud, according to local media reports. 

Bernard Lim Seng Soon cheated 79-year-old Madam Khoo Bee See, daughter of late philanthropist and banker Khoo Teck Puat, of S$2 million ($1.58 million) during his employment with the bank in 2010 and 2011. Lim was the woman's relationship manager. 

Lim reportedly pitched a fictitious investment product to Mdm Khoo in September 2010 and because the client had insufficient funds, she was encouraged to take up a S$2 million short term loan with Deutsche Bank. The money was then transferred to the account of Lim's wife, Jaime Ho Ai Lin, who was a private banking officer at RBS Coutts in Singapore at the time. The wife had a staff account with RBS Hong Kong and cashier's orders or cheques to be deposited could be issued even without indicating names. 

The funds were said to have been used to pay for Lim's gambling debts and other loans, as well as for other personal purposes. 

Lim had pleaded guilty to cheating his client, in addition to five offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes Act by transferring, converting and using the benefits of his criminal activity. He faced 18 charges in all. 

In his defence, Lim's lawyers reportedly said that his acts were out of desperation and was linked to a gambling addiction. However, the District Judge ruled that the crime was planned and that Lim had taken advantage of a loophole in RBS' procedures and knowingly abused it and his client's trust.

Lim has already made full restitution of the amount, reports added.