THE PSNI has helped recover almost £100,000 after fraudsters swindled Derry City Council, it has been confirmed.
The new Derry City and Strabane District Council says money owed to a contractor was paid into an account supplied by the crooks.
The council had received a letter “purporting to be from the contractor”, outlining a change in bank details.
A spokesperson said: “Thanks to swift action by both the bank and council staff, no financial loss was incurred.”
The payment was made on February 17.
A week later the company owed the money said it had still not received the money.
A day later, a council investigation discovered it had recently been notified of a change of bank details.
The contractor said it had not changed its account, and the police and bank were contacted.
The bank account that the money was paid into was frozen, five weeks agothe full £99,426.24 was returned to the council.
An internal management investigation is under way.
A council spokesperson said its procedures “have been reviewed and further strengthened in this area to minimise the risk arising from similar attempts in the future.”
She added: “The council urges local businesses to be vigilant regarding all financial transactions, and to report any suspicions immediately to both their bank and the police.”
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