Hackers have stolen ‘tens of thousands’ of euro from a local traders association, it has emerged.
Last week, Carndonagh Traders Association became victim to the elaborate fraud while trying to pay an invoice for the recent Halloween Carnival which was held in the town.
Secretary for the non-profit organisation, Davin Doherty, said the theft was a ‘disaster’ for them and devastating for everyone involved.
“We were in the process of paying an invoice for the Halloween Carnival and then these hackers managed to intercept the payment,” Mr Doherty explained.
“It’s a disaster for us. We are now out tens of thousands of euro, but we still have to pay our bills.
“The vendor for the carnival is someone that we have been dealing with for years and for this to happen is devastating.”
However, he has asked members of the community in Inishowen, and beyond, to support an online fundraiser that has been set up to help them pay their bills.
“The community has come together and set up a GoFundMe page to help us to raise this money. We urge everyone to contribute what they can,” he said.
Carndonagh Traders Association works tirelessly year-round in order to provide community based events and activities for the betterment of the town and its businesses.
Mr Doherty also revealed that two other businesses in Carndonagh have recently been targeted by hackers, one of which losing over €35,000.
As a result, he has urged the business community to beef up their online security.
Gardai in Buncrana are currently investigating the incident.
Mr Doherty added that the highly successful gift card scheme has been unaffected by the hacking.
Gift cards remain untouched and have been selling well.
The Carndonagh Traders Association GoFundMe page can be accessed here.
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