Overview
- The finance ministry said Thursday that hackers stole millions by diverting an external debt payment meant for Australia.
- Officials put the loss at US$2.5 million, though some outlets reported more than US$3.7 million as the total remains under review.
- Four senior officers at the Public Debt Management Office were suspended after the breach, and the ministry filed criminal complaints.
- Investigators are coordinating with Australian law enforcement after a break‑in to ministry email servers revealed a redirected transfer.
- The attack hit a unit set up under IMF-backed reforms to manage repayments, raising concern over state cyber defenses and prompting calls for a parliamentary inquiry.