Skip to main content
Tags: Puerto Rico | Phishing Scam

Puerto Rico Govt Loses $2.6M in Phishing Scam

Puerto Rico Govt Loses $2.6M in Phishing Scam
Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Manuel Laboy in 2018 (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Thursday, 13 February 2020 08:49 AM EST

Puerto Rico's government has lost more than $2.6 million after falling for an email phishing scam, according to a senior official.

The finance director of the island's Industrial Development Company, Rubén Rivera, said in a complaint filed to police Wednesday that the agency sent the money to a fraudulent account.

Rivera said the government agency transferred the money on Jan. 17 after receiving an email that alleged a change to a banking account tied to remittance payments, according to a police statement.

Manuel Laboy, executive director of the agency, told The Associated Press that officials found out about the incident earlier this week and immediately reported it to the FBI.

“This is a very serious situation, extremely serious,” he said. “We want it to be investigated until the last consequences.”

Laboy declined to say how officials found out about the scam, whether anyone has been dismissed or how the company’s operations have been affected by the missing funds. He said an internal investigation is under way to determine whether someone was negligent or did not follow standard procedure, adding that government officials are trying to recover the money.

“I cannot speculate about how these things might happen,” he said, addressing heavy criticism from Puerto Ricans who were incredulous upon hearing the news.

Laboy added that his agency takes the management of public funds very seriously. “It’s a big responsibility.”

Police did not return calls for comment.

The situation comes as the U.S. territory remains mired in a 13-year recession that has in part forced the government to cut back on some services.

© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Newsfront
Puerto Rico's government has lost more than $2.6 million after falling for an email phishing scam, according to a senior official. The finance director of the island's Industrial Development Company, Rubén Rivera, said in a complaint filed to police Wednesday...
Puerto Rico, Phishing Scam
262
2020-49-13
Thursday, 13 February 2020 08:49 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the NewsmaxTV App
Get the NewsmaxTV App for iOS Get the NewsmaxTV App for Android Scan QR code to get the NewsmaxTV App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved