Proofpoint buys Return Path’s email fraud protection division

BROOMFIELD — New York-based data-solutions provider Return Path has sold its Broomfield-based email fraud protection business unit to Proofpoint Inc. for $18 million.

Proofpoint (Nasdaq: PFPT), headquartered in the Denver Tech Center, will take over Return Path’s EFP division offices at 8001 Arista Place, Suite 300, in Broomfield and hire all existing employees of the division, according to a Proofpoint media release.

Piper Jaffray analyst Andrew Nowinski said Proofpoint paid $3.8 million at the close of the transaction and will spend the remaining $14.2 million over two years to complete the deal.

“Proofpoint is the first company to deliver comprehensive BEC (business email…