D.C.C. attempted fraud now with Police Scotland

Former local authority Derry City Council's sign outside its headquarters on Strand Road.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said the team investigating the alleged offence believe it took place in Scotland in February 2015.

The Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) started the investigation but passed it over to their colleagues in Scotland in June 2015.

In February 2015 there was an attempt to defraud DCC of a significant sum of money (£99,426.24) through false representation by amendment of a supplier’s bank details.

The First Trust Bank was immediately contacted and it commenced an investigation. The Interim Chief Executive was then briefed on the matter and he gave approval for the PSNI to be contacted and for actions to be taken in compliance with the DCC’s Counter Fraud Policy.

All of the money was retrieved from the bogus bank account and after a Management Investigation, council officers told the PSNI they were confident that there was not a criminal element within council.

Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) replaced DCC on April 1 last year.

A report into the incident was carried out by council and one of the recommendations was for council staff to undergo fraud awareness training.