A bogus e-mail led to a county government in Kansas transferring nearly $50,000 to a bank in Georgia. Officials have launched a theft by deception investigation, and because the funds crossed state lines, the FBI was notified.

Sheriff Brian Bellendir says that last Friday, May 13, the Barton County Treasurer’s office received a series of emails instructing them to transfer funds by bank wire from the county general fund to a bank in Georgia. The emails were alleged to have come from the Barton County Administrator’s Office. Bellindir says $48600.00 was transferred on Monday, May 16, 2016.

On Tuesday, May 17, 2016, during the normal course of business an employee of the treasurer’s office requested information as to how the transfer should be recorded in the treasurer’s office. The County administrator’s office replied they had no knowledge of the transfer. It was at this time the crime was discovered.

The Sheriff’s Office and IT department were notified. The Sheriff says in a news release that it appears no other County funds are at risk and no breach of security occurred.

The incident is still under investigation. As of this time the funds have not been recovered.