Austria-based aircraft component maker FACC AG reported in January 2016 that criminal activity involving its IT and communications systems caused an outflow of approximately €50 million. SecurityWeek rendered that amount as $54 million in its headline. The company said its accounting department had reportedly been targeted, but the available account does not establish exactly how the criminals obtained or moved the money.
What happened at FACC?
On January 22, 2016, SecurityWeek reported that FACC said criminal activity involving its information technology and communications systems had led to an outflow of about €50 million in liquid funds. The dollar figure in the headline, $54 million, was a contemporary conversion of the euro amount, not a separate loss figure. FACC believed the attackers were from outside the company, and the accounting department was reportedly targeted. Austrian criminal and forensic investigations had been launched. SecurityWeek’s January 2016 report reproduced the company’s statement that it was evaluating damages and insurance claims.
FACC also said at the time that production and engineering units were operating normally, that it knew of no evidence of data or intellectual-property theft, and that its liquidity was not under threat. Those were the company’s contemporaneous statements, not a later account of completed forensic findings.
How did the criminals steal the money?
The exact method is not established in the accessible incident reporting. The accounting-department focus is consistent with the general pattern of business email compromise (BEC), in which criminals use social engineering or computer intrusion to manipulate business payments. But the FACC report does not confirm that email accounts were compromised, that a fraudulent transfer instruction was used, or that this incident was BEC.
#1 Best Overall
- IFF antenna array in front of the cockpit distinguishes this CCIP-equipped model from other F-16s.
- Curved form of the F-16 accurately reproduced with trademark Tamiya precision.
- Moveable horizontal stabilizers. "Flaperons" can be modelled in the up or down positions.
- Full ordnance load including AGM-88 HARM, AIM-120C AMRAAM, AIM-9M/X Sidewinder, ECM pod, and fuel tanks included.
- Centerline and inner wing pylons as well as tail assembly feature polycaps to allow easy detachment for storage.
The FBI describes BEC as a fraud targeting businesses that regularly make wire transfers. Criminals may research employees who handle money and learn a company’s internal transfer procedures before fraudulently directing electronic funds. These are general characteristics of BEC, not verified details of the FACC case. In a February 2017 explainer, FBI Special Agent Martin Licciardo called BEC “a serious threat on a global scale.” The FBI’s BEC overview explains the broader scheme.
Was FACC’s production disrupted?
FACC said production and engineering continued normally and that its IT infrastructure and business operations had not been impacted. The company’s statement therefore described a major financial loss without a reported interruption to manufacturing at that time. The available report does not establish whether later investigation changed that assessment.
Rank #2
- Experience the legendary F-14 Tomcat through a highly detailed model designed for aviation collectors and hobby enthusiasts. The finished model becomes a striking desktop or showcase centerpiece.
- This 3D puzzle is designed for beginner-level assembly enthusiasts, offering an immersive hands-on building experience that helps cultivate patience, concentration, and mechanical problem-solving skills.
- This product is manufactured using high-quality, environmentally friendly plastic and employs an ultra-fine etching process to ensure durability, structural precision, and realistic aircraft details.
- Encourages understanding of aircraft engineering concepts while improving hand-eye coordination and spatial thinking through engaging mechanical assembly.
- Ideal gift for childs, engineers, collectors, model builders, and puzzle lovers for birthdays, Children’s Day, Christmas, or special hobby occasions.
Was the money recovered?
The accessible reporting does not establish how much, if any, of the money was recovered, whether an insurer paid a claim, or what the completed investigations found. FACC said it was evaluating insurance claims and would decide on further actions after the forensic investigations. The FBI’s 2016 guidance warned generally that recovering funds sent overseas is often unsuccessful; that guidance does not reveal the outcome for FACC. The FBI advisory discusses prevention and recovery in BEC cases.
What was known about BEC losses at the time?
Two historical figures illustrate the broader fraud environment, but neither measures FACC’s loss or proves the method used against it:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Revell Plastic Model Airplane Kit #85-5521 is skill level 4 and contains 165 parts. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
- Highly detailed cockpit with boarding ladder and clear canopy
- Pilot figure with realistic uniform details
- Model Scale 1:48
- Illustrated assembly instructions
- The FBI’s Cleveland Field Office reported 17,642 victims and more than $2.3 billion in BEC losses from October 2013 through February 2016. That 2016 FBI report covers its stated period and reporting scope.
- The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported 298,728 complaints and more than $1.3 billion in losses across all reported internet-crime categories in 2016. This was not a BEC-only total. IC3’s 2016 annual report provides the category-wide figures.
Complaint totals depend on reporting and aggregation scope, so figures from different periods or agencies should not be treated as directly comparable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Practical safeguards for business payments
The FBI’s descriptions of BEC point to controls that address how payment instructions are verified. They are useful general precautions, not proof of what would have prevented the FACC incident:
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- QUICK SNAP-FIT ASSEMBLY — No glue, no mess: every precision-engineered piece clicks firmly into place so builders of all skill levels may complete their A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog in one satisfying session without extra tools or adhesives.
- AUTHENTIC WARBIRD DETAIL — Faithfully recreates the iconic twin-engine, straight-wing attack jet with raised panel lines, movable control surfaces, and characteristic GAU-8 cannon nose for a display-ready replica straight out of the box.
- STEM-FRIENDLY BUILDING EXPERIENCE — The numbered part system and illustrated step-by-step guide introduce basic aerospace engineering concepts, supporting spatial reasoning and fine-motor development for builders ages 8 and up.
- DURABLE ABS CONSTRUCTION — High-impact ABS plastic parts resist warping and breakage, ensuring the finished model withstands shelf display, light handling, and proud show-and-tell moments for years to come.
- GREAT VALUE GIFT UNDER $25 — Thoughtfully packaged and priced at $21.99, this building set makes an ideal birthday, holiday, or any-occasion gift for aviation fans, military history enthusiasts, and hobbyist model builders alike.
- Verify new or changed payment instructions using a known, independently obtained phone number or another trusted channel—not contact details included in the request.
- Require a second person to approve unusual transfers, with approval kept separate from the person who executes the payment.
- Train finance staff to recognize urgent or unexpected requests and to follow documented procedures even when a message appears to come from a senior colleague or supplier.
- If a transfer appears fraudulent, contact the bank and law enforcement immediately. The FBI emphasizes prompt reporting because recovery may be difficult, particularly when funds have been sent overseas.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
