57 people, entities included in Wirecard ‘all sources’ probe
The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said at least 57
people and entities are covered in its ongoing investigation into German
payments firm Wirecard's alleged missing $2.1 billion funds, which dragged two
of the country’s biggest banks into the issue.
In a text message, AMLC Executive Director Mel Georgie
Racela said that the 57 people covered in their probe include lawyer Mark
Tolentino and two former junior officers of BDO Unibank and Bank of the
Philippine Islands.
Tolentino was allegedly tagged as the “trustee” of
Wirecard’s supposedly missing cash. He later claimed that he was framed and
that his identity was stolen by “foreigners” who came into his office asking
how they can do business in the Philippines.
On the other hand, BDO said it has fired the rogue employee
who allegedly fabricated a bank certificate, while BPI suspended an employee
for supposed falsification of documents.
Racela said AMLC is adopting an “all sources approach” in
its investigation.
“This means we gather information from open sources such as
news articles, press statements, social media articles, and information shared
by law enforcers and supervising authorities both domestic and abroad,” he
explained.
“So whatever news articles any person can read are part of
our source of information. This is regardless of their base.”
BDO and BPI have denied involvement with Wirecard, both
saying they have determined that documents claiming Wirecard was a client of
theirs were false.
The scandal-hit German payments provider, later on, said
that the missing money it booked in its accounts “likely never existed.”
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno earlier
said the missing $2.1 billion did not enter the Philippine financial system.
While the funds did not enter the Philippine financial
System, Racela emphasized that the AMLC did “not want to leave any stone
unturned.”
The AMLC chief admitted that complex financial
investigations such as the Wirecard case takes a while to complete.
“After we conclude our financial investigation we will
exchange notes with NBI (National Bureau of Investigation). Then gather
evidence for any case we are able to establish,” Racela said.
“It is only then can we know our timeline. Financial
investigations are not like your ordinary crimes. Each person or entity of
interest has their own complex financial transactions that we need to carefully
analyze and link to others’ financial transactions,” he said.
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