Two London banks have been attacked by similar means. A KVM switch had been installed into their computer network that allowed remote control of computers via a 3G router. A Santander Bank branch in Southeast London and a Barclays branch in North London were both hit by these attempts.
Barclays Bank computer theft: Eight held over £1.3m haul
Eight men have been arrested in connection with a £1.3m theft by a gang who took control of a Barclays Bank computer. The money was transferred from the branch in Swiss Cottage in north London in April, a Met Police spokesman said. Searches are being carried out at addresses across London where property including cash, jewellery, drugs and credit cards has been seized. The raid is being linked to an attempt to steal from Santander last week.
Four men have appeared in court charged with attempting to take control of computers at a Santander branch in Surrey Quays, south-east London. Det Supt Terry Wilson said the Barclays investigation was being carried out by the same police team. However he said the latest arrests “are a different level, it’s really the top tier of this criminal network that have been arrested”. He added: “This was a highly-organised criminal network with each individual filling a specific role. “All criminal networks have a head and we very much believe we have now apprehended our ‘Mr Big’ as part of this operation.” The men, aged between 24 and 47, were arrested on Thursday and Friday.
Following the report of the theft, police found a “keyboard video mouse” (KVM) switch attached to one of the branch’s computers.