Online Security: Gang Operating Sophisticated Credit Card Fraud

Gang operating sophisticated credit card fraud swindle hundreds of thousands of euro from Irish

The gang, which consists of three men and a woman, are using cloned and stolen cards to steal high-end goods.

A gang operating a sophisticated credit card fraud have swindled hundreds of thousands of euro from towns across Ireland in recent days.

The gang, which consists of three men and a woman, are using cloned and stolen cards to steal high-end goods.

The gang have hit a number of towns in recent days including Letterkenny in Co Donegal as well as Dublin city centre.

Gardai in Letterkenny estimate that more than €20,000 in laptop computers, phones, jewellery and perfumes was stolen using bogus card in just one day recently.

Another spate of robberies using cloned cards took place across Dublin, including Grafton Street, on Friday afternoon last.

A Garda source revealed how a jewellery store in Dublin had €5,000 worth of goods taken by the gang.

It is understood the cloned cards belong to wealthy card owners whose banks would not ‘red flag’ larger purchases and allow transactions through.

The cards being used in the latest spate of robberies are ones which would not normally be in circulation in Ireland.

The gang are highly-mobile and use both public transport and private cars between shops.

They base themselves between Belfast and Dublin and are aged in their 40s and 50s.

Sgt Paul Wallace, Crime Prevention Officer in Co Donegal, said retail staff must take the time to go through the various security checks on credit cards.

“It is not a coincidence that staff in shops who have gone through various security checks are the shops who have not suffered as much as others.

“We are appealing to retail owners to sit down with their staff and to run through the security checks.

“If they are unsure of checks, they should consult the safecard.ie website.

“This gang and other gangs operating in this area are highly organized, confident and know exactly what they are.

“And they are also targeting younger people who may only be in stores working for the Christmas period and not completely familiar or confident with the operation of their systems,” he said.