The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has successfully intercepted and recovered approximately $850,000 following a sophisticated cyberattack targeting County funds.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began after cybercriminals successfully infiltrated the email system of a trusted third-party vendor currently contracted with the County. Posing as the vendor, the attackers were able to redirect a scheduled payment via direct deposit into a fraudulent bank account.
Upon discovery of the unauthorized transaction, the County immediately launched a cybersecurity investigation and notified the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) for a criminal investigation and to recover the stolen money.
YCSO investigators, with the financial institutions, tracked the stolen funds to a newly established account. The receiving bank, flagging the transaction as suspicious, froze the assets and required the account holders to verify the source of the funds.
When the criminals were unable to provide legitimate documentation, YCSO detectives successfully seized the account. Virtually 100% of the stolen $850,000 has been recovered and returned to the County treasury.
“The exceptional work of our detectives cannot be overstated,” said Sheriff David Rhodes. “Cybercriminals rely on speed and anonymity, so moving faster was key. This recovery is a testament to the diligence of our investigators and the importance of our partnerships with financial institutions.”
In response to the incident, Yavapai County is currently:
• Conducting internal and third-party forensic evaluations of all digital systems
• Implementing enhanced verification protocols for all financial transfers
• Strengthening “dual-authentication” requirements for vendor communication
YCSO is asking all local businesses and residents to remain vigilant by:
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