• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Tech

Bangladesh Team Heads to Manila to Recover Cyber Heist Funds

By
Reuters
Reuters
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Reuters
Reuters
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 24, 2016, 10:38 AM ET
Philippines' Strengthening Economy Sees Construction Trade Boom
A general view of the financial district of Makati City on May 8, 2013 in Manila, Philippines. The Philippines is in the throes of a property boom that is unprecedented in Southeast Asia. Hundreds of construction cranes are seen across Manila's skyline as property developments including office buildings, housing projects, hotels and new shopping districts are changing the face of the metropolis. The country's credit rating has been upgraded once again from a grade of BBB- to BBB by rating agency Standard & Poor's and the economy is expected to post a GDP growth rate of 6%, 1% higher than initially forecast. (Photo by Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images)Photograph by Dondi Tawatao—Getty Images

A Bangladesh delegation will visit the Philippines to speed up recovery of the rest of some $81 million stolen from its account in the New York Federal Reserve in February, two officials said on Thursday, after recovering a fifth of the funds.

The five-member team, led by Law Minister Anisul Haq, will hold talks with Philippines authorities on Nov. 28 to Dec. 1.

“We are hoping it will help expedite the recovery of the rest of stolen funds,” a member of the team told Reuters, on condition of anonymity.

Unknown cyber criminals used stolen Bangladesh Bank credentials to try to transfer nearly $1 billion from its Fed account in early February, one of the biggest bank frauds ever.

They succeeded in transferring some $81 million via an account at the New York Federal Reserve to four accounts in fake names at a branch of Rizal Commercial Banking in Manila. Most of the money was laundered through casinos in Manila and remains missing.

Only $15.25 million has been recovered. It was returned to Bangladesh earlier this month.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

A senior central bank official told Reuters the team will also try to meet Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who had earlier pledged the stolen money would be returned.

The team also included Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir; Attorney General Mahbubey Alam; Abdur Razzaq, the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the finance ministry; and Eunusur Rahman, secretary of the Finance Ministry’s bank and financial institutions division.

This week, an anti-money laundering body in the Philippines filed charges against five officials of RCBC bank and a former treasurer who “willfully ignored” suspicious activity that led to the money vanishing after the cyber theft.

No arrests have been made, despite investigations by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Interpol, Bangladesh police and authorities in the Philippines.

About the Author
By Reuters
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.