DOJ subpoenas Kim Wong, Weikang Xu over $81-M heist

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice on Friday issued a subpoena against two businessmen in connection to $81-million money laundering scheme.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council earlier filed money laundering charges against casino junket operators Kam Sin Wong (Kim Wong) and Weikang Xu. The businessmen allegedly violated Section 4(a) and (b) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Assistant State Prosecutor Gilmarie Fe Pacamarra ordered Wong and Xu to attend the preliminary investigation of the banking heist on April 19.

The prosecutor also directed the two businessmen to submit their counter-affidavits and other supporting documents before the scheduled hearing.

"You are hereby warned that failure on your part to comply with this subpoena shall be considered as a waiver of your right to present your defense and the case shall be considered submitted for resolution based on the evidence on record," Pacamarra said in the subpoena.

Former Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito is also facing charges in connection to the money laundering scheme.

Hackers attempted to infiltrate the computers at Bangladesh Central Bank and attempted to  $951 million from its account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Only one out of 35 attempted transfers were not blocked and went to four accounts at the Jupiter branch of RCBC in the Philippines.

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