Gardaí seize computers and documents in fraud inquiry

A CRACKDOWN on an internet banking fraud gang saw gardaí seize computers and documents at a Meath home.

Six people were arrested in the Britain, including one foreign man who had an address at a home in Navan, Co Meath.

The crime gang are suspected of stealing up to £3 million (€3.6m) by ripping off personal banking details.

Banking sources last night confirmed the raid had found no evidence of customers of Irish banks robbed of their money.

The Irish Payment Services Organisation though welcomed the joint-Metropolitan Police and Garda operation and said it would make bank customers more vigilant.

Head of card services Una Dillon added: “We’re happy with the arrests and it helps raise awareness about the danger of fraud out there.”

Police investigating the sophisticated online banking scam also swooped on addresses in London.

Five men and one woman, aged 25 to 40, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit online banking fraud and offences.

One is a 40-year-old man, believed to be of African origin, and who was living in Navan.

The follow-up search by gardaí on his home saw members of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation team seize computer equipment as well as documents.

The arrests followed a probe into a gang suspected of using fake websites and spam emails to obtain online passwords and credit card numbers.

British Police believe more than 10,000 bank accounts and a further 10,000 credit cards have been compromised.

Crooks have attempted to steal £1.1m by taking over online accounts and much more by abusing credit cards.

Detective inspector Colin Wetherill, of the Metropolitan Police, said it is not yet known exactly how much has been stolen.

He added: “We have taken this action to shut down an organised criminal network running an online phishing and account take-over operation.

“A great deal of personal information was compromised and cleverly exploited for substantial profit.”