HAMILTON TO SUE OVER SWINDLE
From Back Page to blame for a lapse in security and say staff twice warned the club they were at risk.
Police are probing the “vishing” scam which saw con artists convince an Accies employee to move cash into 26 accounts to prevent theft during a series of phone calls.
More than £989,000 was emptied from three accounts over two days.
RBS’s security team initially suspended the first two payments of £40,000 and £70,000.
But the payments were allowed to continue at the request of the club.
Accies chief executive Colin McGowan said: “We’re talking about nearly a million going out in 24 hours.
“You wouldn’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to see something was wrong here.
“On day two, £655,000 went out with 20 transactions. These weren’t challenged once. We’re at fault for 50 per cent of it. But the bank should take its share of the blame.”
McGowan revealed the club lost “close on every single penny” during the con but managed to recover some of the money through suspended transactions.
They are still £800,000 out of pocket though.
Chairman Ronnie MacDonald said: “We’re in a strange position now of not owing anyone any money but not having any money going forward.”
Hamilton have instructed law firm Levy & McRae to prepare a case.
RBS said: “The bank is confident there has been no breakdown in our security procedures. All payments were keyed and approved by the authorised user of the club’s account.
“The bank contacted HAFC to question the transactions twice and they instructed the bank to continue with the payments.”