Council scammed out of £46,000.00

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Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 12:10 pm

I wonder how prevalent this type of scam is not exactly AFF just pay into our new account.

Quote:

Wirral Borough Council duped out of £46,000

Fraudsters duped a Merseyside council of almost £46,000, the authority says.

Wirral Borough Council is investigating why payment-authorisation procedures were not followed before the payment was made, to an account apparently linked to a care home's email.

After discovering it to be a fraudulent transaction, the council reported the matter to the national fraud team. The money has not been recovered.

The council said it was "unacceptable" proper checks had not been not made.

However, it confirmed no-one had been suspended in connection with the payment.

'Taking appropriate action'

In August, the council's finance department received an email from what appeared to be the correct address for the care home requesting the payment to be made into a different account.

Joe Blott, strategic director for transformation and resources, said: "Fraudsters targeted the council, which led to a payment of £45,683 being made to an incorrect account.

"This was reported to the police as soon as we became aware of it and subsequently to Action Fraud.

"We have mandatory checks and procedures in place to prevent fraud and error. However, clearly on this occasion these were not followed.

"This is unacceptable and we will be taking appropriate action."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-24548848

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 11:39 am

Owch.

Thing is though, if the lad covered his tracks well, they may never catch him or recover the money.

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 10:33 pm

Bet it was through Barclay's Bank. They're known to have been slack in opening accounts for asylum seekers in terms of ID provided or not provided. IE. I bet it was through a willing mule who did a runner PDQ after transferring the funds out of the country.

Just my guess - this does not necessarily represent the view of the General Council at 419eater.com, nor that of my bank manager at Barclay's, nor that of Gomer Pyle or any of his employees at Barclay's in Mersey-side.

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