Pittsburg City Loses $913K in Phishing Scam Linked to Nigeria

The City of Pittsburg reported a phishing attack that occurred on February 12, 2026, resulting in a loss of $913,839.81 to a fraudulent account posing as a city vendor. City staff discovered the incident on February 17 and promptly notified law enforcement, leading to the freezing of the fraudulent account. The Pittsburg Police Department, along with the FBI, has recovered $696,241 and is pursuing insurance for the remaining $217,598. The investigation involved 18 warrants and identified a primary suspect based in Nigeria, along with two U.S.-based accomplices. In response, the city has implemented new financial controls and verification processes to enhance cybersecurity. Mayor Dionne Adams expressed disappointment over the incident but emphasized the city's efforts to recover funds and improve security measures.

Key Points: • Pittsburg lost $913,839.81 in a phishing attack targeting city finances. • The attack was linked to a fraudulent account impersonating a known vendor. • The city has recovered $696,241 and is pursuing insurance for the remaining loss.