Costa Rica’s National Bank Investigates Disappearance of $6.2 Million

Largest Case of Its Kind in Costa Rican History

In a shocking turn of events, Costa Rican authorities are investigating the disappearance of 3.3 billion colones ($6.2 million; €5.9 million) from Banco Nacional, the country’s national bank. The incident is being hailed as the largest case of its kind in Costa Rica’s history.

Interim Manager Addresses the Situation

Banco Nacional’s interim manager Jaime Murillo held a press conference on Tuesday to address the situation. While he refused to speculate on whether the missing funds were the result of fraud or theft, he emphasized that an investigation is underway.

“We cannot say for sure that this is fraud or that someone stole this cash,” said Murillo. “We are not at that point yet. It is under investigation.”

Concerns Amid Widespread Impact

The missing amount is equivalent to 0.06% of the bank’s assets, which has sparked widespread concern among banking officials and authorities.

Suspects and Investigation

The suspected heist was only discovered on October 3, but investigators believe it must have taken place in August or earlier. In response, the bank suspended five employees who worked in the area of the bank that handles currency:

• Two area supervisors
• A technician
• A guard
• An accountant

These employees are facing charges of embezzlement and breach of duties, although no arrests have been made.

Assurance for Clients

Fortunately for clients of the state-owned bank, Murillo assured them that their accounts are safe and they are not at risk as a result of the incident. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the cause and extent of the missing funds.