This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22470299
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Cybercriminals 'drained ATMs' in $45m world bank heist | Cybercriminals 'drained ATMs' in $45m world bank heist |
(1 day later) | |
A gang of cybercriminals stole $45m (£29m) by hacking into a database of prepaid debit cards and draining cash machines around the world, US prosecutors say. | A gang of cybercriminals stole $45m (£29m) by hacking into a database of prepaid debit cards and draining cash machines around the world, US prosecutors say. |
Seven people have been charged in New York over the heist, which allegedly stretched across 26 countries. | Seven people have been charged in New York over the heist, which allegedly stretched across 26 countries. |
An eighth suspect is thought to have been murdered in April. | An eighth suspect is thought to have been murdered in April. |
The network used fake cards to target banks in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, court documents said. | The network used fake cards to target banks in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, court documents said. |
Prosecutors said law enforcement agencies in Japan, Canada, the UK, Romania and 12 other countries were involved in the investigation. | Prosecutors said law enforcement agencies in Japan, Canada, the UK, Romania and 12 other countries were involved in the investigation. |
Arrests had been made in other countries, they said, although details were not released. | Arrests had been made in other countries, they said, although details were not released. |
'Laptops not guns' | 'Laptops not guns' |
"The defendants and their co-conspirators participated in a massive 21st Century bank heist that reached across the internet and stretched around the globe," Loretta Lynch, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement. | "The defendants and their co-conspirators participated in a massive 21st Century bank heist that reached across the internet and stretched around the globe," Loretta Lynch, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement. |
"In the place of guns and masks, this cybercrime organisation used laptops and the internet." | "In the place of guns and masks, this cybercrime organisation used laptops and the internet." |
Members of the scheme allegedly hacked computer systems to steal data on prepaid debit cards. The cards are pre-loaded with funds rather than being linked to a bank account or a line of credit. | Members of the scheme allegedly hacked computer systems to steal data on prepaid debit cards. The cards are pre-loaded with funds rather than being linked to a bank account or a line of credit. |
They cancelled withdrawal limits and distributed information to accomplices referred to as "cashers" around the world. | They cancelled withdrawal limits and distributed information to accomplices referred to as "cashers" around the world. |
The cashers then loaded other magnetic stripe cards, such as gift cards or old hotel keys, with the stolen data and used them to withdraw huge sums. | The cashers then loaded other magnetic stripe cards, such as gift cards or old hotel keys, with the stolen data and used them to withdraw huge sums. |
The first alleged raid took place at the Rakbank in the UAE in December. Criminals were able to conduct 4,500 transactions worth $5m across about 20 countries. | The first alleged raid took place at the Rakbank in the UAE in December. Criminals were able to conduct 4,500 transactions worth $5m across about 20 countries. |
Prosecutors believe the group broke into the Bank of Muscat based in Oman in February. In the space of 10 hours, casher cells withdrew $40m in 36,000 transactions from ATMs in 24 countries. | |
According to the indictment of the New York defendants, they quickly moved to launder their cash, opening a Miami bank account and pouring money into cars, including a Porsche and a Mercedes, and Rolex watches. | According to the indictment of the New York defendants, they quickly moved to launder their cash, opening a Miami bank account and pouring money into cars, including a Porsche and a Mercedes, and Rolex watches. |
Seven people have been arrested and face charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and money laundering. | Seven people have been arrested and face charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and money laundering. |
The accused ringleader of the cell was reportedly murdered in the Dominican Republic just weeks earlier, prosecutors said. | The accused ringleader of the cell was reportedly murdered in the Dominican Republic just weeks earlier, prosecutors said. |
"Our message is clear. Law enforcement should not stand by as cybercriminals target our global financial system for their own ends," Ms Lynch told reporters. | "Our message is clear. Law enforcement should not stand by as cybercriminals target our global financial system for their own ends," Ms Lynch told reporters. |
She added that the attack was the "largest theft of this type that we have yet seen". | She added that the attack was the "largest theft of this type that we have yet seen". |
Previous version
1
Next version