The FBI and United States Attorney's office are investigating an internet scam in Norwich that bled the town of nearly $250,000. Now residents are left with more questions than answers about who is on the hook for the cash.

According to a press release issued by the Norwich Selectboard, four money transfers from the Town Finance Department were made in mid-August totaling $249,720. The transfers were made in response to email that appeared to be coming from the town manager. But the email was a fraud.

"I hope that the money gets recovered. That's the big question that everybody has," said Dan Fraser, a Norwich resident. "A small town like this, as many in the Upper Valley, you would think we are not subject to these kind of scams and stuff."

The Norwich selectboard learned of the suspect transactions on August 28. "As soon as the selectboard, as a group, were made aware of the incident, they notified the police department and that evening and the following day we immediately opened an investigation into the matter," said Norwich Police Chief Jennifer Frank.

Few additional details have been released. The town manager was unavailable for comment Thursday. However, we have been told by town officials that the unideintified employee tricked by the scam was put on paid leave. We also know the transfers were made without selectboard approval

The investigation has now been handed over to the FBI and the U.S. Atttorney's office. "It's pretty standard in these cases. Anytime you have an internet involved crime or scam or possible scheme or even an investigation, we reach out. In fact we encourage our average citizens to do the same," Chief Frank said.

Town officials say their main priorities are to recover the money and figure out how prevent the incident from happening again. It's not clear if insurance will cover the debt or the taxpayers.

"Now we know how much money it is, which is huge, and how's that money going to be recovered is the question," Fraser said.

The selectboard member who drafted the release declined a request for an interview but said that members of the public are welcome to attend the next meeting October 9th to voice their questions and concerns.