Three workers suspended in online scam investigation

Puerto Rico’s government said Friday that it suspended three employees as federal agents investigate an online scam that attempted to steal more than $4 million from the U.S. territory.

Manuel Laboy, executive director of Puerto Rico’s Industrial Development Company, said rigorous procedures were not followed when the agency received an email alleging a change in banking accounts that prompted someone to transfer more than $2.6 million to a fraudulent account on the U.S. mainland last month.

Laboy declined to share the names of those suspended, saying only that it was one employee from his agency and two from Puerto Rico’s Commerce and Export Company.