Surfside Beach loses more than $500K through fraudulent email. How did it happen?
The Town of Surfside Beach is seeking assistance from state law enforcement officers after more than half a million dollars was sent to a fraudulent email.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was requested by the Surfside Police Department on April 18 to investigate “allegations of financial fraud involving a contractor payment,” a spokesperson told The Sun News.
The Town of Surfside Beach made a payment of $545,598.30 to Wildcat Contractors on March 13, according to the town’s accounts payable check register.
The company was working on an underground project for the town. But the construction company never received the funds, according to WMBF.
The Town of Surfside said in a news release on May 13 that the town had identified a “potential cybersecurity incident” with its email.
“Upon discovery, the Town promptly reported the matter to local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities and engaged independent cybersecurity specialists to conduct a forensic investigation,” Communications and Events Coordinator Tabitha Mull said.
Both the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Mull said that the investigation is still ongoing.
