Online thieves step up bank raids

Cyber-criminals have developed sophisticated ways to remain undetected, a new report finds.

The report, from security firm Finjan, describes how one gang, based in the Ukraine, stole 300,000 euros (£269,000) in 22 days.

It used a sophisticated piece of malicious software which fooled banks' anti-fraud systems as well as forging bank statements to hide the thefts.

It also recruited innocent job-seekers as so-called money mules.

Such mules were needed to prevent a direct money trail being traced back to the gang.

The specific attack, monitored during the month of August, was aimed at the customers of several German online banks.

The German police have been informed.

The server used by the gang has been frozen although it is not known whether gang members have actually been caught.