N. Louisiana school falls victim to $251,000+ phishing, online scam

SABINE PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Authorities are investigating a phishing scam after the Sabine Parish School Board lost more than a quarter-million dollars to a fraudulent account.

According to Sabine Parish School Superintendent Shane Wright, the incident occurred in late November of last year, and they were notified of the crime in mid-March. The school board confirmed that they fell victim to an email phishing attack, resulting in a loss of $251,972. 

Wright says authorities were immediately made aware, and the Attorney General’s Office is following the investigation. He shares that the scam originated internationally, and a person in Florida is being investigated for their alleged connection.

Sabine Parish’s superintendent says the money paid was part of a $375,000 school safety grant the district had obtained to install a weapons detection system at all school sites.

“Our external auditor has reviewed this matter, and we have taken steps to ensure Sabine Parish School Board does not fall victim to any future phishing attacks. We have communicated this matter to our insurance company and filed a claim to recover this loss. Unfortunately, governmental agencies are often targeted via phishing and other ransomware attacks. We take multiple precautions and ensure annual employee training, but are never completely immune,”

“The school board and Superintendent take the responsibility to be transparent and accountable to the public very seriously. However, due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, we were not at liberty to discuss the specifics of the case.”

posted SPSB via social media on Wednesday night.

This investigation is currently ongoing.