Hackers steal nearly $500K from North Carolina town in cyberattacks
TL;DR
Carolina Beach, NC lost nearly $500,000 in two cyberattacks in late 2025 and early 2026, with the FBI investigating as part of an international case.
Source: WECT News 6
Town officials announced that nearly $500,000 was stolen from Carolina Beach, N.C. during two recent cyberattacks. The first incident was discovered Dec. 31, 2025 and the other in early Jan. 2026, town manager Bruce Oakley said during a press conference this week. The Carolina Beach Police Department investigated the cyberattacks along with the FBI. Investigators determined the cyberattacks are related to an ongoing investigation in another state and are international in scope. While CBPD’s investigation concluded, the FBI is still looking into the attacks. The National Guard conducted a review of the town’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities before the attacks, amid a surge in attacks on government agencies. Full Story