US investigation agency Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had warned Bangladesh Police that there may be efforts to break protective security measures to steal money from ATM booths. The police then sent letters to the central bank and other financial institutions, asking them to improve digital security.
But since the matter was not given due importance, criminals infiltrated security systems of Dutch Bangla Bank’s ATM and took away money. In the same process, cyber criminals stole money from another private bank a few months ago.
The police feel that the criminals are using latest technology; and recently, the group stole large amounts of cash from ATMs around the world.
On Saturday (Jun 1) evening, one Ukranian citizen was detained by booth security while trying to steal money using ingenious methods. Later, based on the information provided by the arrested person, five more citizens from Ukraine were picked up from Hotel Olio Dream Haven in Panthapath.
Dhaka Metro Politan Police (DMP) Joint Commissioner, Mahbub Alam says: “We are trying to get information from the foreigners, using an interpreter.”
DB police adds that the arrested are cyber criminals with high level of IT and digital knowledge. A team of seven entered Bangladesh on May 30.
They belong to an international cyber criminal group and this is their first visit to Bangladesh and were supposed to fly to India on Jun 6, informs police.
These criminals insert an ATM card with a microchip which immediately allows them complete control of security systems.
When money is withdrawn from an account, an automatic message is sent to the client, but in this case, no alert takes place. Therefore, neither the client nor the bank detect the removal of cash.
Police sources say that in the last two months, more than Tk 1 million was stolen from ATM booths but the banks suppressed the news to save their reputation.
Foreigners had been arrested in the past for stealing money but they used cloned cards made from stolen client information. However, modern day criminals use high tech methods.
Additional deputy commissioner, Shahidur Rahman, Ripon, says: “The arrested may have a worldwide criminal network; we are trying to find if anyone from the country is linked to the cyber criminals.”
Since criminals using modern technology have their eyes on Bangladesh, all financial institutes have been asked to strengthen digital security with two factor authentication.
CID’s special police super for organised crime, Mollah Nazrul Islam, observes: “We have informed all banks after an alert from a foreign intelligence agency.”