‘Central bank panel still verifying money transfers by closed currency exchange firm’

AMMAN – A special committee at the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) is still verifying dozens of money transfer documents for clients of a major currency exchange company closed by the authorities a year ago. 

In December last year, the CBJ closed down Samhouri Exchange over violations committed by the management.  

An official at the CBJ told The Jordan Times Tuesday that once the panel completes verifying the documents, it will oblige the currency exchange company to pay the money to the clients of pending inbound and outbound transfers. 

The official, who requested anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said the committee is looking into financial claims for dozens of clients. 

He noted that Samhouri Company, which had seven branches in Amman, was liquidated by the CBJ, adding that the committee may complete its work within the coming three months.

Vijay Neekhra, an Indian worker in Jordan, said he transferred an amount of $5,000 last December. The money never reached the beneficiary and he has not been paid back by the company. 

Moreover, Binu Johan transferred $1,583 to his family in India also last December.

Both senders have not presented their money transfer documents to the CBJ because they did not know that there is a special committee looking into the case. 

But the CBJ official said the central bank published advertisements in newspapers calling on clients of pending transfers to submit their claims to the committee, adding that they can still present their transfer receipts to the committee.   

There are around 120 currency exchange firms in Jordan, according to the Jordanian Exchange Association.