Bangladesh Bank hackers ‘possibly Chinese,’ Philippines senator says

Chinese hackers were possibly behind what is considered the largest cyber heist in history, a Philippines senator said Tuesday, according to Reuters.

{mosads}Unidentified hackers stole $81 million from the Bangladesh central bank’s New York Federal Reserve account in February and funneled the money through a Manila bank to Philippines casinos.

“It would appear they are not Filipino hackers [but] possibly Chinese hackers,” said Ralph Recto during a Senate panel in Manila. “They saw the vulnerability in the [Philippines] banking system or one bank.”

Recto did not provide evidence for his claims. The panel had previously been briefed that two Chinese high rollers, one from Macau and one from Beijing, brought the money into the Philippines.

The Manila bank where the money was deposited has denied responsibility.

“I am but a pawn in a high-stakes chess game played by giants in international banking and high finance,” branch manager Maia Santos Deguito told the committee.

Deguito blamed the crime on senior bank officials “in cahoots with extremely wealthy businessmen whose far-reaching powers and influence span several countries.”

Manila-based casino junket operator Kam Sin Wong surrendered $4.63 million of the stolen funds to anti-money laundering officials and the Bangladeshi ambassador last week.

Wong, who has denied involvement in the heist, received a total of around $35 million through his casino company and a foreign exchange broker that distributed the $81 million.

He also said he is willing to return almost $10 million given to him as debt repayment by the two Chinese high rollers who allegedly transferred the stolen money. A further $17 million remains with the exchange broker, according to Wong, and the remaining portion has already been spent on gambling chips for his clients.

How much of the $81 million is still in the possession of the exchange broker, Philem, remains disputed.

“But we are not keeping money. There is no money with us,” treasurer Michael Bautista told the senate panel.

The inquiry will continue on April 12.