Chinese returns part of Bangladesh funds stolen by hackers

MANILA, Philippines – A Chinese casino junket operator says he has returned $4.63 million of the $81 million that hackers stole from the Bangladesh central bank’s account in the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank and laundered in Manila’s casinos.

Kam Sin Wong said Thursday he is also willing to give Philippine authorities 450 million pesos (nearly $10 million) that was given to him as a debt repayment by one of two Chinese high rollers who allegedly transferred the stolen Bangladesh money to the Philippines.

Wong has denied involvement in one of the world’s largest cyberheists but told a recent Senate inquiry he was able to keep some of the money from his transactions with the two Chinese men.

The money laundering scandal adds pressure on the Philippines to close loopholes in its financial system.