Dfcu bank top managers have been thrown into a crisis
after it emerged that Shs10 billion stolen by hackers at several of the
bank’s Kampala branches.
The hackers first made it with $2.6 million and then Shs700 million of customers’ deposits.
Hackers first attacked Dfcu bank and withdrew Shs700m customers’ deposits
Hackers reportedly breached some Dfcu bank customers’ accounts in
Kampala late last month and accessed their money amounting to Shs700
million, according to sources within the security agencies say. However
Eagle Online has learnt that more than Shs8 billion was withdrawn from
customers’ accounts in many branches across the city.
They say Dfcu bank managers reported the matter to
Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID) in Kibuli
under CID HDQTRs GEF604/2019. Kampala, though they concealed details of
the hacking in the bank.
It is said the cybercrime was carried out some Dfcu bank
junior staff and two outsiders who have since been arrested and are
currently in police cells to aid investigations.
The incident took place about two weeks ago but Dfcu bank has kept it as
a top secret for fear of losing clients should the public learn that
the customers’ details were compromised.
According to sources, this could be part of money
laundering money which some suspect was one of the internal ploys to
dupe the public because how could this happen without detecting it from
its internal monitoring systems in all it’s branches. Could the Shs10
billion have been part of the Mafias as the bank couldn’t report the
case to police?
According to a source in the bank, the hackers penetrated Dfcu’s system
in most of the branches in Kampala and withdrew the money which they
shared amongst themselves.
Investigators however declined to give more details on the matter,
saying it would jeopardise further investigations. Dfcu bank has become a
target of robbers. Months ago robbers stormed one its branches in
Kampala and took off with money, having raped a female employee.
The recent breach of customers’ information leaves doubt among the public that Dfcu can fully protect its clients’ details.
according to Trumpet News, On Saturday, the detective handling the case declined to divulge details when contacted.
Earlier, CIID spokesperson Mathias Twine told this website that no case had been reported nor suspects held over the heist.
The head of communications at DFCU Rukh-Shana Namuyimba when contacted said she wasn’t aware of any hacking.
“I am not in position to comment because I am not aware of that.”
The hacking is part of the broader problem Dfcu has been
facing after it took over Crane Bank which belonged to businessman
Sudhir Ruparelia.
The manner in which Dfcu bank to took over Crane Bank Limited was described by the Auditor General John Muwanga as “hostile.”
Sources at the Bank attribute the hacking to cliques that emerged since
the appointment of Mathias Katamba as the Bank’s Managing Director after
Dfcu board temporarily named William Sekabembe as MD but was later
dropped.
