Police say computer fraud siphons $375,000 from Prince George, B.C.

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – RCMP say the City of Prince George has become the victim of a significant fraud.

The city called police in September when staff sent two payments to a contractor for more than $700,000, but the cash was never received.

Police say the money was fraudulently redirected.

The Mounties say in a news release investigators worked with financial institutions to recover most of one payment, but $375,000 remains lost.

They say officers are following several leads and working with international partners to identify those responsible for the sophisticated computer-based fraud.

Cpl. Craig Douglass says there are no indications that the city was hacked or that personal information was compromised.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2020.