City of Redwood Falls victim of bank wire scam over fire truck; funds recovered

The City of Redwood Falls was the victim of a business email compromise scam involving the  purchase of a 2022 fire truck.

The City of Redwood Falls received email communication from a suspect or suspects claiming to be a sales representative fostering the transaction for the purchase of the fire  truck. Based on the e-mail, which was later determined to be fraudulent, the City of Redwood Falls  sent a wire transfer on March 31 in the amount of $1,150,692.00.

Through the course of the  investigation, the funds have been located, secured, and are currently in process of seizure to be returned to the City of Redwood Falls. The City of Redwood Falls is expecting a net financial loss of less than  1% of the funds as a result of the crime.  

The Redwood Falls Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and  United States Secret Service, is investigating the matter. The investigation remains ongoing.