NEWPORT, Wash. — The City of Newport announced Thursday it has fallen victim to a fraudulent web-based scheme that resulted in the wrongful transfer of approximately $330,000 in municipal funds.
City officials have notified law enforcement authorities about the incident, which remains under active investigation.
“This is a deeply concerning situation,” said Mayor Keith Campbell. “We recognize this could represent a significant loss of taxpayer dollars. We take our responsibility to safeguard public funds extremely seriously.”
Preliminary findings indicate the funds were obtained through a sophisticated online scam. The incident appears limited to municipal financial transactions, with no evidence that residents’ personal information was compromised.
The city is reporting the matter to local and state enforcement agencies while conducting a comprehensive review of internal financial controls and procedures. Officials are also implementing additional safeguards for electronic payments and vendor verification processes.
Newport officials said they will provide updates as appropriate while maintaining the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Mayor Campbell serves as the primary contact for information about the incident and can be reached at 509-589-0065 or KCampbell@newport-wa.org.
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