Nine men arrested in Waterford involving Money Laundering and Smishing scams | WLRFM.com

Gardaí in Waterford have arrested 9 men as part of an investigation involving Money Laundering and Smishing (Fraudulent SMS/WhatsApp Messages) nationally and internationally.

• 9 men were arrested of which 2 are currently charged before the courts• €1.12 million cryptocurrency seized• €30,000 other monies frozen• 2 vehicles seized VW Golf and a Mercedes• 1 property identified in Dubai• Investigation has identified organised criminal connections across Europe, the UK, Dubai and South Africa.

Gardaí attached to the Waterford Division Crime Hub has been conducting a complex criminal investigation focusing on organised transnational criminal activity involving the bulk transmission of smishing texts (Fraudulent SMS/WhatsApp Messages), theft, deception and Money Laundering both nationally and internationally.

2 males are currently before the courts charged with various alleged offences contrary:

• Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010• Part 7 of Criminal Justice Act 2006• Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001

Investigating Gardaí have currently seized currency, vehicles and property believed to be the proceeds of organised criminality:

• €1.12 million cryptocurrency• €30,000 other monies frozen• 2 vehicles seized VW Golf and a Mercedes• 1 property identified in Dubai

The seizure of cryptocurrency, in October and November 2023 as part of the investigation, is the first major seizure of cryptocurrency (now in excess of €1.12 million) in the area of Organised Cyber Enabled frauds by An Garda Síochána.

The criminal activity focuses on the criminal offence of Smishing involving fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp messages claiming to be from National Postal Offices, Delivery Companies, Financial Institutions, etc.

The investigation is being coordinated by the Waterford Crime Office with the assistance of GNECB (Virtual Assets Investigation Unit and FIU Ireland), GNCCB, Europol, Garda Passenger Information Unit (GPIU) and other Garda Divisions.

Europol and Garda Liaisons in Irish Embassies are facilitating the investigation team in liaison with other Police Forces to progress this investigation internationally.

The investigation to date has established that the criminal activity is operating in a number of countries in Europe, the UK, Dubai and South Africa. The investigation is also conducting enquires into persons of varying nationalities, multi-linguistic, fluent in a number of languages to deceive their victims both nationally and internationally.

Investigations are ongoing.

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