MISCHIEVOUS BEHAVIOUR FROM ABSA BANK

On the 27 November 2023 my friend went to ABSA in East London, 03 Jagger St, Central, East London. She went to ABSA to convert some dollars into S A rands due to the fact that she is from Europe. She was told by the Bank Manager (Mr. Arinze) not his real name because when I made a follow up with ABSA head office, I was told there was no such person working with ABSA.

My friend was told to pay R23 000 to covert dollars into rands. That said amount of money was paid in phases because she was told that the machine that converts money requires this money to continue with the process.

Apparently, they said their machine needs to be changed and now the bank manager wants R10 000 to that, on top of R23 000. To date the bank manager is still quiet about this matter.

My friend is stucked and frustrated, she wants her money, but the bank (ABSA) is not prepared to give back to her. I thought such behavior with element of *******ion does not happen in the commercial banks, only happens in other institutions. I'm prepared to take this matter forward even in the public domain for everyone to know about such behavior.

Is this how ABSA Bank operates?!

I need to get answers from ABSA whether they do this because my friend is not a South African citizen or is how they generally treat other people in this country?