Fake travel cards scam smashed

Gardaí have smashed a fraud scheme which allowed people to travel free on public transport with fake travel cards, it emerged tonight.

The forged special needs travel cards were being sold on the street for between €20 and €50 over the last number of months.

The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI) said it had arrested and charged a 33-year-old Dublin man in connection with the fraud, after carrying out several interviews with suspects.

Detective Inspector Dave Dowling said that while the source of the fake cards and the distribution network had now been dismantled, there were still fake cards in circulation.

“Anyone who is caught in possession of these cards will be prosecuted and will face serious penalties. There are a lot of inspectors out there from Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and Bus Eireann and we will be continuing the investigation,” he said.

The forged passes were being produced using high quality colour printers and photocopiers.

Inspector Dowling said the forgeries were invaluable to those who had bought them on the street.

“These are a special pass issued to people with special needs and it gives them 24/7 travel anywhere around the country with Bus Eireann, Irish Rail and Dublin Bus.”

The forged travel passes also allowed the person accompanying the holder to free travel.

Detectives began their investigation several weeks ago after they were contacted about the forged travel passes by Dublin Bus inspectors and interviewed a number of people.

The 33-year-old Dublin man is due to appear at Dublin District Court on February 10.

Court proceedings are also expected to be taken against a number of other individuals.

The Department of Social & Family Affairs is currently considering the introduction of a new Travel Pass Card System, which would make it easier to detect fake cards.