Authorities in San Benito County have launched an investigation into a suspected phishing incident involving the attempted payment of nearly $700,000.

County officials said Thursday that a payment of $696,602 was approved by the Auditor-Controller's Office. Treasurer Melinda Casillas was alerted by a bank about the transaction and notified the county's administration.

Officials said the payment was processed on Wednesday. The treasurer and the bank immediately filed a fraud claim with the FBI and requested reversal of the payment.

In a statement, the county said the payment request came from someone posing as a construction contractor as part of a suspected phishing scam.

On Friday morning, the San Benito County Sheriff and the Auditor-Controller's office announced that the amount wa

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