A major international anti-fraud sting has led to searches in Dublin, Meath and Louth, with 6 people arrested.
It's part of a global take-down of a 'spoofing' website that saw victims lose more than €115 million worldwide.
The site, iSpoof.cc, allowed fraudsters to impersonate trusted corporations and contacts, to access sensitive information from victims, a cybercrime which is known as ‘spoofing’.
The Irish phase of the investigation into the site was carried out by Gardaí, who supported London Metropolitan Police with the evidence-gathering phase of the operation.
Between the 8th and 9th of November, Gardaí carried out 17 searches in Dublin, Meath and Louth and seized 132 electronic devices.
Six people were arrested over the two days and 64 suspect bank accounts were identified.
An Garda Síochána joined International Law Enforcement Authorities in a global criminal investigation which has taken down a website that allowed fraudsters to impersonate trusted corporations or contacts, to access sensitive information. For details: https://t.co/f4LPUajJ8U pic.twitter.com/qdIOvTMCSJ
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) November 24, 2022
An Garda Síochána joined Authorities across Europe, Australia, the US, Ukraine, and Canada in the global criminal investigation.
On November 8th the website and server was seized and taken offline by US and Ukrainian authorities. It has now been replaced by a ‘splash screen video’.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary says we are all aware of the proliferation of ‘spoof’ and scam phone calls in recent months;
"The activities earlier this month is the start of a significant investigation being led by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau which will bring those involved in these criminal activities in this jurisdiction before the courts here in Ireland."
