Dhaka: Bangladesh Bank governor Fazle Kabir on Tuesday expressed the hope that they will get the whole amount stolen from the central bank’s reserve account with New York Federal Reserve depending on the outcome of the case filed against a Philippines bank.

Responding to a question on the money recovery move while announcing the central bank’s first-half yearly (July-December) monetary policy at the Bangladesh Bank Bhaban, he also some $15.25 million out of total $81 million stolen money is under legal process to bring back.

The BB chief said Bangladesh is expecting some more money to get back as the anti-money laundering council in the Philippines is working on it and the central bank of that country is helping Bangladesh Bank recover the money.

A total of $101 million was stolen by cyber criminals from Bangladesh's treasury account with New York Federal Reserve in the USA. Of this, $20 million went to a bank in Sri Lanka which was recovered immediately.

But the remaining $81 million was moved to RCBC bank in the Philippines which finally went to the Casino in Manila. During the hearing of the Philippines Senate, a businessman in Manila admitted to the money heist and at one stage, he deposited $15.25 million to the Senate.

The central bank governor said they have constant communication with the Philippines central bank governor and also the Bangladesh Ambassador in Manila on the issue of money recovery.

He mentioned that the anti-money laundering council of the Philippines has filed a case against RCBC bank on the money heist.

‘Bangladesh hopes to get back the whole amount depending on the outcome of the case,’ he said.

Fazle Kabir said the Bangladesh Bank has taken up a plan to introduce the Swift system afresh. This is now under process. After completion of the installation of the new system, a third party team will inspect it and submit report whereby it will be launched.

But at present, the central bank is operating the money transfer system in three ways —through Swift, email and over telephone—to avoid any theft chance, he said.