Computer Virus Transferred $35 K from Crystal Lake School Bank Account

According to security researchers, a malicious virus that has crept into thousands of computers could be responsible for the loss of around $350,000 from the bank account of Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47.

Donn Mendoza, Superintendent of District 47, said on September 23, 2009 that he believed that the Clampi virus could have stolen between $325,000 and $350,000 from the bank account of the school which had used the account to pay daily expenses, as reported by dailyherald on September 23, 2009.

Mendoza further said that they seemed to be the first one in the country with whom this had happened.

The revelation of fund transfers became public on June 29, 2009 when police informed that a staff member of the school had found discrepancy in fund transfer while reviewing the district's daily activity.

Moreover, the FBI told media that around three school districts including District 47 had reported computer intrusions which resembled to incidents occurred nationwide. These incidents might have been linked with the computer virus known as 'Clampi', as reported by wbbm780 on September 24, 2009.

The Daily Herald has also confirmed that a computer problem resembling to these incidents is under investigation in Sycamore Community school District 427 but the identity of third district has remained obscure.

Wayne Riesen, Superintendent of Sycamore Schools, said that he had evidence to confirm that cyber attack had hit the district in July 2009 but could not give exact details of date when the fund transfer took place, as reported by daily-chronicle on September 24, 2009.

Ross Rice, Spokesman, FBI (Chicago office), revealed that several incidents had been reported to the office in the past few months, as reported by wbbm780 on September 24, 2009. He also believes that similar computer intrusions have occurred across the country and therefore all FBI offices are working collectively.

It is said that the Clampi virus seizes usernames and passwords to transfer money from bank accounts of mid size companies. American companies have lost millions to the virus and it is making public schools its new victim.

Finally, Mendoza said - after the theft at District 47, authorities there have resorted to stricter accounting procedures and are enacting new measures to improve their computer security.

Related article: Computer Virus Writers Adopt New Strategy

» SPAMfighter News - 10/16/2009