CID investigators speak to ex-Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur over Fed Reserve cyber heist

Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have spoken to Atiur Rahman, who stepped down as Bangladesh Bank governor following the $81 million cyber heist.

A team of four CID officials, led by Additional Inspector General Shah Alam, went to Atiur's house in Dhanmondi around 11am on Monday.

CID Special Superintendent of Police Molla Nazrul Islam told bdnews24.com that the team spoke to Rahman about the case, initiated over the cyber heist, for around an hour.

The investigators' meeting with Rahman came after Reuters news agency reported that five officials of the central bank had been found guilty of negligence and carelessness.

Asked if the ex-governor had been interrogated, CID Special SP Islam said, "No. It was a discussion."

Rahman later told bdnews24.com he would always cooperate with the investigation.  

“I welcomed the investigators,” he said. “I told them I will assist them further if necessary. I want this matter to be solved.”

Hackers stole $81 million from Bangladesh Bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York by sending fake orders through the SWIFT transaction system and transferred the money to and beyond the Philippines through its casinos in early February this year.

People in Bangladesh came to know of the matter after around a month when a Filipino newspaper ran a report on the theft.

Atiur stepped down following harsh criticism of the concealment of the theft for a long time.

A casino junket has returned $15 million. Bangladesh is now trying to retrieve the remaining stolen funds.