Northern Ireland

Two businesses in mid Ulster duped out of more than £350,000

The PSNI is investigating after to mid Ulster businesses were duped out of more than £350,000
The PSNI is investigating after to mid Ulster businesses were duped out of more than £350,000 The PSNI is investigating after to mid Ulster businesses were duped out of more than £350,000

The PSNI is investigating two reports of fraud in Mid Ulster which resulted in two businesses being duped out of more than £350,000.

Police say both businesses reported they had their emails hacked and payments of just over £20,000 and £330,000 were made to bogus accounts.

Detective Inspector Paul Robinson said: “Unfortunately, two businesses, both acting in good faith, have lost significant amounts of money at the hands of unscrupulous fraudsters.

"This is sadly further evidence that fraudsters are relentless in their pursuit of other people's money and will stop at nothing in an attempt to dupe people.”

The officer urged people to be vigilant.

“I can't stress enough to never ever give out any personal or financial information to an unverified source via email or over the phone.

"If a supplier suggests they have changed an account number please ensure you are 100 percent sure this is the case.

"Don’t take an email as proof."