Ongoing Investigation Launched Into $826,000 Tripp County Email Scam

Northeast Radio SD News - Winner, SD - Tripp County State’s Attorney Zachary Pahlke and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley have announced an active investigation into a sophisticated email scam that resulted in the fraudulent transfer of over $826,000 from Tripp County government funds.

The incident occurred on October 15, 2025, when the Tripp County Auditor’s Office was deceived into authorizing a $826,357 payment. According to Pahlke, the perpetrators used a “spoofed” email address designed to mimic a legitimate vendor, successfully redirecting the substantial payment into a bank account controlled by external criminal actors.

Investigative Efforts

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently working alongside federal partner agencies to track the incident. Officials noted that, because the criminal investigation is ongoing, specific details remain confidential to protect efforts to identify perpetrators and potentially recover stolen taxpayer funds.

“Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and consumers have to be vigilant,” Jackley stated. “Always verify. Call the company at its official telephone number.

Future Safeguards

In response to the breach, Tripp County is partnering with security experts to strengthen administrative safeguards and update county protocols. Pahlke reported that these updates, combined with additional staff training, are being implemented to intercept future fraudulent attempts and better protect county resources.

Reporting Scams

The Attorney General’s Office reminds residents who believe they are victims of a scam to contact local law enforcement or the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. Inquiries and reports can be sent to consumerhelp@state.sd.us or by calling 1-800-300-1986.