Washington, Mar 23 (AFP) US federal prosecutors suspect the North Korean government directed last year’s theft of USD 81 million from Bangladesh’s account at the New York Federal Reserve Bank, according to a media report. Also Read - Unexplained Mystery: Thousands of Migratory Birds Found Dead in New Mexico, Scientists Baffled

Citing unnamed sources, The Wall Street Journal yesterday said prosecutors were developing cases showing Chinese middlemen helped the North Korean government orchestrate the enormous theft from the Bangladesh central bank. Also Read - Amid China Snooping, US Govt Charges 5 Chinese Nationals Over Mega Hacking Scheme; Indian Govt Targetted

In February 2016, thieves transferred the funds from Bangladesh’s account at the New York Fed to accounts in the Philippines using authenticated international bank access codes in the SWIFT system, not by hacking the bank. Also Read - US Revokes Visa For Over 1,000 Chinese Students, Researchers Citing Security, Military Links

It was unclear when or if any charges would be filed but any case might implicate North Korea without charging North Korean officials.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.

Researchers at the security firm Symantec previously had linked the huge theft to a series of cyber-attacks on the US financial system and the 2014 hacking of Sony Pictures. (AFP) RSD

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.