Banks have alerted officials and guards as regards foreign nationals and people with suspicious behaviour using ATM (automated teller machines) booths after the recent fraud in a Dutch-Bangla Bank ATM booth by six foreigners.
“After this incident of Dutch-Bangla Bank ATM booth, we have warned our ATM booths. Security guards have been warned about foreign citizens and others using masks or hats,” Pubali Bank Managing Director Md Abdul Halim Chowdhury told Dhaka Tribune.
“We will sit with all other banks after Eid and discuss what steps we can take to boost security at ATM booths,” he added.
Dutch-Bangla Bank public relations officer Sagir Ahamed said that security guards were told to remain cautious about suspected people.
Besides, surveillance was increased through CCTV cameras, he said.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Islami Bank Deputy Managing Director Abu Reza Mohd Yeahia said: “We have already strengthened security in our ATM booths as per Bangladesh Bank instructions. Our security system is constantly updated. Besides, our monitoring team is active."
On 23 May, Bangladesh Bank asked all commercial banks to tighten security in digital payment system ahead of Eid.
In addition, instructions have been given for ensuring uninterrupted transactions through automated teller machines (ATMs), point of sales (POS) e-payment gateway and mobile financial services (MFS).
The central bank held a meeting on May 5 with relevant officials of banks. Executive director of the bank (payment systems department) SM Rabiul Hassan chaired the meeting.
At the meeting, the banks were also instructed to strengthen security in online payments, as well as resolving any technical issues in ATM booths, keeping available cash at ATM booths, and ensuring the presence of security guards at all booths, said a senior official of Bangladesh Bank.
Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) Associate Professor Md Mahbubur Rahman Alam told Dhaka Tribune: “This type of fraud is new in our country but not in other countries. So banks here must have updates in technology.
"According to the Bangladesh Bank instructions, the ATM booths should be monitored 24 hours, but the banks are not doing it. On the other hand, the security guards appointed at booths are not trained. That is why they cannot recognize frauds," he said.
According to the BIBM research paper, around 50% banks are at IT security risk as they still lack managed switch, next generation firewall and E-mail gateway, which are vital for ensuring network security in banks.
On Saturday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Detective Police) arrested six foreign nationals on charge of withdrawing Tk3 lakh by a fake card from the Dutch Bangla Bank ATM booth (Khilgaon).
