when in Rome and all that! I have heard of this going on quite a lot since moving to France. It depends if you are guaranteed the job after the kickback. Or if the person wants the kickback after you get the job.
are you saying that your bank manager stole your money? There has to be some proof or document as to which account the money was moved to. Have you contacted the banks head office?
In my region, one local told me that each year before christmas the cops and customs etc are out in droves stopping as many people as possible simply to generate as much revenue as possible.