WICHITA – The Consumer Protection Division of the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office has recently begun an investigation involving a six-figure electronic transfer of funds that had been intended to be sent to a legitimate bank account in anticipation of a property closing.
The emails that were the subject of the communication were very close to the legitimate email addresses, but did contain a single letter/digit alteration to the email address which was not noticed until after the transaction. This ultimately contributed to the funds being sent to an illegitimate bank account.
This is not the first time this sort of fraud has been perpetrated in the area.
The district attorney office reminded all banks, title companies and realtors in the south central Kansas area and beyond to take the following steps when transferring money electronically:
(1) Confirm the accuracy of any email address purported to represent an individual or entity who is requesting the electronic transfer of any sum of money; and (2) take the time to call and confirm the identity and/or contact information as well as the account number and routing information of any banking institution to whom money is being electronically sent.