A bank manager who took advantage of a computer system loophole to steal more than 1.1 million yuan (US$133,000) with a friend's help has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, reports New Express News.

Lin Zhongqian, a former manager at the Agricultural Bank of China in Guangzhou, was sent to a Foshan branch to set up a new computer system last May.

Lin discovered a security loophole in the system but kept the knowledge to himself. He devised a plan to take advantage of it after returning to Guangzhou.

He asked a former classmate, Zhou Zhiwei, to open eight accounts with forged identification cards.

After Lin accessed the computer system at the Foshan branch on August 30 and made up cash deposit records to Zhou's accounts, Zhou withdrew 1.165 million yuan (US$140,758) in cash through ATMs within two days.

The pair were caught after the bank examined the unusual transactions and identified Zhou through ATM surveillance camera tapes.

Lin was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Zhou received a seven-year jail term from the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court.

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