Police Scotland is warning local businesses across Dumfries and Galloway to be on the alert for a potential fraud which has hit a number of companies in the region over the past weeks. On three occasions known to police at this time, e-mail correspondence has been received by staff in businesses in Dumfries and Annan requesting the transfer of large amounts of cash to specified accounts. On each occasion the e-mail appears to be genuine and to be from a prominent or known member of the company, thus giving the impression that the request is genuine. At this point in time two transfers have been made which amount in total to over £20,000, whilst in the third it was realised to be a scam.
Detective Inspector Scott Young at Dumfries said “clearly those who are carrying out these scams have done their homework in relation to those who work within each of the companies, and who could authorise such financial transfers. They are also able to imitate the e-mail address of these staff members, giving the impression to the receiver of the e-mail that it is genuine. We are issuing a warning to all businesses in the region to be alert to anything that just doesn’t seem right, and if there is any doubt at all to a cash transfer request then to raise the matter in the first instance with their own management, and then report it to Police Scotland if it appears to be a fraudulent attempt.
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