The scam originated in South Africa, and even cloned the ESB website.
A midlands business was nearly defrauded of 100 thousand euro in a sophisticated scam attempt.
Athlone engineering solutions company Fraser Ross Limited received an email, which was allegedly from an ESB supply chain manager, requesting a quote for a large order of specialised pumps.
Managing Director Ivan Merrick sourced a supplier in South Africa, which asked for the invoice to be paid before delivery.
He rang the ESB to discuss payment but instead discovered the person who placed the order didn't work there.
After further investigation, he discovered the South African supplier was also fake.
Mr. Merrick says the nature and scale of the scam is disturbing:
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