WINNER, (KCCR) — An active investigation is in place trying to find out how Tripp County was scammed out of over 800-thousand dollars. In a joint press release with the South Dakota Attorney Generals Office, Tripp County States Attorney Zachary Pahlke says an apparent email scam has led to Tripp County to make a fraudulent transfer of funds totaling 826-thousand, 357 dollars. Pahlke says on October 15th of last year the Tripp County Auditor’s office was deceived into allowing a transfer to a bank account controlled by what is being referred to as external criminal actors to redirect the payment. The scammers spoofed an email address designed to copy a legitimate county vendor which led to the redirection of a significant payment. The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is working with federal agencies on the situation. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, additional details are limited. In the wake of the loss, Tripp County is working with security experts to increase administrative safeguards. The updates are intended to intercept and prevent similar situations and protect taxpayer dollars.
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