Councils urged to beef up security after €4.3m fraud

Local authorities are being urged to beef up their financial security after international criminals attempted to defraud Meath County Council of €4.3m and have the money transferred to Hong Kong.

An investigation is underway after funds were transferred in a sophisticated online scam which involved criminals impersonating the council’s chief executive.

It is understood criminals contacted a staff member pretending to be council CEO Jackie Maguire and requested the transfer of €4.3m to a Hong Kong account.