The state-run Government Saving Bank has shut down approximately 3,000 of their ATMs after hackers stole THB12 million cash by infecting the system with malware.
In a report that came to light yesterday, the bank found out that THB12.29 million was stolen in July from 21 machines in six provinces including Bangkok, Chumphon, Phetburi, Phuket, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Surat Thani.
Chartchai Payuhanaweechai, Director of Government Savings Bank, ensured that customers are not affected by the theft as the malware only tricked the machine to release cash without authorization, according to Nation TV.
“The stolen money does not belong to the customers. Whether we will reopen the the ATMs depends on the [ATM] manufacturer who needs to fix the system,” Chartchai told Bangkok Biz News.
The machines where the money stolen were from NCR, a vendor of ATMs. Therefore, the banks have shut down only the machines from this manufacturer.
The police identified the suspects as “white Eastern European men.” Photos of the alleged suspects from the ATMs’ cameras were released in local media. Police believed there are more than two men involved.
The bank is seeking damages from the manufacturer of the ATM machines.
