Issue Date: 13/07/2022
Gardaí seconded to the Department of Social Protection conducted a search operation in Swords, Co. Dublin today, Wednesday 13th July 2022, as part of an ongoing investigation into the fraudulent claiming of Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the laundering of the proceeds of international Business Email Compromise (BEC) frauds.
As part of this investigation, the value of money stolen as a result of the PUP fraud is approximately €49,500. This money was paid into a number of bank accounts set up using false identities. Separately, an estimated €120,000 was stolen in an online fraud and paid into these same bank accounts.
This morning’s search operation was conducted with assistance from Gardaí attached to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB). During the course of the search laptops, phones, documentation, a quantity of cash and a car were seized.
A male, aged in his late 20s, was arrested and is currently detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 in Swords Garda Station.
Investigations are ongoing.
Note: This investigation is part of Operation Skein, an investigation into international BEC/Invoice re-direct fraud being committed from Ireland, and the laundering of the proceeds through accounts here.
