Saleh received prompts of an intrusion into his email which forced him to notify his aides and also informed the bank manager and the fraudulent transaction was intercepted.
KAMPALA – A malware-wielding gang has targeted the bank account of the overall coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho commonly referred to as Salim Saleh
Sources said hackers used a SWIFT software to inject fraudulent money-moving messages since last February in ‘discreet campaigns’ not tied to last year’s hacking of telecoms and banks.
On Friday (May 28), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) Special Investigation Division (SID) announced that they had arrested four members of the gang over; unauthorised access, and electronic fraud under the Computer Misuse Act and conspiracy to defraud.
According to SID’s elite detectives, the suspects include a woman and were found with a total of 613 SIM cards registered in two names; Shergold Ashabahebwa and John Kakande.
Suspects
Those arrested are Teddy Namakula, Godfrey Magoba, Benjamin Mukisa and Edgar Mpeirwe, all members of an alleged organised criminal syndicate linked to SIM boxing and Cryptocurrency.
The CID spokesperson, Charles Twine confirmed the arrest. He said on April 16, hackers fraudulently hacked into the email (address withheld) and attempted to transfer sh43m from a Stanbic Bank account belonging to Saleh at Garden City branch in Kampala.
How it happened
Sources said the suspects upon unlawfully gaining access into Saleh’s email account made express instructions to the branch manager (names withheld) through her email address (details withheld) to effect payment of the loot (sh43m) onto mobile numbers; 070 4799395,0707382702,075 0669242 and 0705588790 respectively through the bank to wallet facility.
Another source who spoke on condition of anonymity said upon this attempt, Saleh received prompts of an intrusion into his email which forced him to notify his aides and also informed the bank manager and the fraudulent transaction was intercepted.
By press time, there had been no official communication from Saleh’s handlers to the media.
Telecom agents probed
Sources said the arrest of the hackers led to the trace of another gang of fraudsters largely Airtel and MTN agents who are meant to register cards, but end up duplicating several other SIM cards from unsuspecting victims.
The agents have since been traced and found in the Kampala metropolitan policing area. According to sources, a total of 12 telecom agents have been arrested and grilled.
The suspects are alleged to have first secured SIM cards and then orchestrated the hacking of Saleh’s account, including forging his signature after they accessed his email from one of the café’s in Kampala centre.
Last year, the Directorate of Crime Intelligence, led by Brig. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira arrested six suspected members of a gang implicated in fraudulent duplication and sale of mobile phone SIM cards that are used in criminal activities, especially kidnap for ransom.
Experts speak out
A cyber fraud expert who spoken on condition of anonymity said there is general agreement that positions for cybersecurity professionals in the country have not been filled, particularly within the banking sector, notably those working on information security and fraud risk.
The Police cybercrime unit detectives have asked financial institutions to carry out fresh vetting of their staff, especially from the information technology departments to thwart the growing crime.
According to the expert, hackers work closely with insiders from financial institutions to accomplish their crime. “The hacking into banks is similar to that of telecoms where help is from the inside,” the expert said.
Cyber unit
The Government has since set up a Computer Emergency Response Team, a specialised unit under the Uganda Communications Commission, to detect internet crime.
The unit prowls the internet to monitor and report high-tech crimes including cyber-based terrorism, computer intrusions, online sexual exploitation and cyber fraud.
