Law enforcement officials are investigating apparent financial crimes in which $3.3 million was siphoned from the Warren County Treasurer’s Office in a “fraudulent phishing scheme.”
County officials say they determined two electronic payments in the amounts of $2.1 million and $1.2 million were sent from the treasurer’s office into a fraudulent bank account on Dec. 12 and Dec. 22.
After being notified of the unlawful payments on Dec. 23, county officials notified the sheriff’s office, New York State Police and U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and help recover the funds. The state comptroller’s office is also investigating.
The $1.2 million payment is expected to be recovered and returned to the county, according to Warren County officials, who said they also hope to recover some funds from the first payment.
It’s the latest cyberattack to hit a public entity in the region.
In October, about $1 million was stolen from the Voorheesville Central School District’s construction fund in a cyber-fraud attack, the district announced. About $750,000 was recovered in that case, the district said at the time.
