BAR HARBOR, Maine – Following a devastating cyber crime, the Mount Desert Island Regional School System has been left reeling from the theft of more than $1 million that was intended for the Bar Harbor school construction project. Superintendent Mike Zboray delivered the shocking news to the Bar Harbor community, revealing that the school district had fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme.
The incident came to light on a Tuesday when school officials were made aware of the theft. Immediate action was taken as staff members reported the crime to the town authorities and local law enforcement. The FBI has since been called in to aid in the investigation. Furthermore, the school district promptly informed its bank and insurance providers and disabled the compromised payment system to prevent any further unauthorized transactions.
Zboray shed light on the details of the cyber crime, explaining that a fraudulent request to alter bank account information had been submitted on January 9 and subsequently processed by school staff. The gravity of the situation became apparent when Wright-Ryan Construction requested a legitimate payment of $1,066,754 on February 10 for the school construction project, only for the funds to be diverted to the fraudulent account.
“We are currently working to retrieve the funds that were transferred to the fraudulent account. While there is still uncertainty about the extent of the loss, we are hopeful that the full amount will be recovered,” Zboray reassured in his message to the community. The superintendent expressed gratitude that the receiving account had been frozen, indicating that the funds were being safeguarded.
To prevent future incidents, Zboray outlined the school district’s proactive measures, including a comprehensive review of financial procedures with the cybersecurity team and the implementation of additional safeguards to fortify the payment process. Staff members in the accounts payable departments across the district will undergo advanced security training to heighten awareness and prevent similar breaches in the future.
Despite the turmoil caused by the cyber crime, Zboray assured the public that the school district remains vigilant and committed to providing updates to town officials and the community as the situation unfolds. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in today’s digital landscape and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive financial information.
As the investigation continues and efforts to recover the stolen funds are underway, the Mount Desert Island Regional School System is focused on bolstering its defenses and ensuring the security of its financial systems moving forward. The community stands united in support of the school district as they navigate this challenging ordeal and work towards a resolution that restores confidence and trust in their financial integrity.