Dfcu bank in crisis as over Shs10b is hacked

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  However Eagle Online has learnt that more than Shs8 billion was withdrawn from customers’ accounts in many branches across the city.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.