Cybertheft attempt on Union Bank of India resembles Bangladesh heist

Similarities between hacks raise concerns about recent attacks on financial institutions world-wide

Cyberthieves who attempted to steal $170 million from an Indian bank last July used methods that strongly resemble those of an earlier, successful $81 million heist targeting Bangladesh’s central bank, according to people familiar with the matter.

The similarities between the Indian and Bangladeshi hacks underscore concerns about a rash of cyberattacks in recent months on financial institutions around the world, including banks in the U.S., Mexico, Poland and the U.K. Some of these hacks have been linked to groups affiliated with North Korea, cybersecurity specialists said earlier this year.

State-owned Union Bank of India Ltd.’s computer system