FBI officials arrive in Sri Lanka to assist CID investigations into the Treasury cyber theft involving millions routed through U.S. accounts.
The FBI has arrived in Sri Lanka to assist local authorities investigating the cyber theft of millions from Sri Lankan Treasury funds, a senior officer said.
A team from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is now supporting the probe into the theft of $2.5 million in one instance and another US$625,000 linked to a payment to U.S. postal authorities, the officer told the Daily Mirror.
The investigation has now taken an international turn after tracking revealed that the stolen funds had been routed through financial systems in the United States.
According to investigators, the money was traced to multiple bank accounts located in two different U.S. states.
Discussions have already begun inside the U.S. Embassy premises, where Criminal Investigation Department officials have held several extensive rounds of meetings with FBI representatives.
The officer said a federal team is currently on the ground, working with the CID to trace the digital footprint of the stolen funds.
Earlier, it was reported that investigators had identified the company allegedly used to conceal the hackers linked to the disappearance of $2.5 million.
According to investigators, the funds were routed through a third-party entity identified as “Biz Solutions,” a company reportedly involved in online business registration services.
The company had been registered in Delaware, USA.
The cyber breach targeted the Department of External Resources and involved unauthorized access to official email communication channels.
Through the breach, hackers allegedly intercepted and redirected funds connected to a $22.9 million bilateral debt repayment to Australia.
Police investigations have found that four out of six payment vouchers intended for submission to Australian authorities as part of the debt settlement process had been diverted to the hackers.
It was reported that Delaware had been used to register the company due to its comparatively lenient business regulations.
However, one of the final transaction vouchers was connected to another U.S. state where banking regulations are significantly stricter.
U.S. authorities have reportedly pledged full cooperation in the investigation.
They are also prepared to take legal action against any suspects in the scam who may be living in the United States.
Despite the intense joint effort, investigators admit they are yet to conclusively verify the exact transaction paths or identify the final destination accounts where the millions ultimately landed.
There has still been no firm confirmation as to exactly which account received the money or how it was credited.
The FBI has also agreed to provide the necessary technical tools and full cooperation to the CID.
