Could another person deposit money into an account?¶

Yes. A third party can deposit cash, cheque or value into an account they neither own nor control, for legitimate or criminal reasons.

Depositor and holder are different roles¶

Customers, family, employees, associates or mules may use counter, machine, slip or another service. The holder may direct, know about, discover later or remain unaware of the deposit. The depositor may also act with another person's cash.

Trace instruction and benefit¶

Preserve branch or terminal, time, amount, reference, instrument, staff notes, identification and CCTV. Compare communications, witnesses, endpoints and onward movement to identify who physically deposited, supplied the money and directed the event.

Balance increase does not prove holder benefit if funds move onward or the account is compromised. Report depositor, holder, controller and beneficiary separately.