“SCAM” WARNING REITERATED TO MONAGHAN PUBLIC AS HUGE RISE IN ONLINE INVESTMENT FRAUD REVEALED BY GARDAÍ

1 October 2021 No Comments by The Northern Standard

A renewed appeal by Garda to the Co Monaghan public to protect themselves against online scams was made this week as the Gardaí’s National Economic Crime Bureau revealed that there had been an extraordinary increase in the incidence of online investment fraud over the past year. In the first seven months of 2021 alone, nearly €8 million was fraudulently taken from people through online fraud schemes.

“We want to remind people that anyone who rings, texts or emails you out of the blue and requests personal information such as bank details are not to be trusted,” the Gardaí stated this week. “Do not click into any links they send you or call the number they contact you from or that is stated in their email.” €7.9 million was taken from people in online investment fraud up to the end of July 2021, an 86% increase when compared to the same period in 2020.

The average age of those scammed was 53. Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan of the GNECB advised people to be very careful. “That is a very substantial increase,” he stated. “I put it down to people not getting good investment rates or interest rates in their banks or credit union. “Investment fraud is targeted at people with…

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