Gardaí warn of investment fraud as two women lose €45,000
Local Gardaí are warning of the increasing risk of investment fraud as two local women were recently defrauded of €45,000.
Earlier this month, one woman in her late thirties from the Castlerea area reported to gardaí that she had been the victim of an investment scam.
After contacting a bogus Bitcoin investment company, she made multiple transfers amounting to sums in excess of €28,000, which has not been recovered.
A further report of investment fraud was recently reported by a woman in her late sixties to Boyle gardaí.
It’s understood that the injured party had responded to an advert online and invested in Bitcoin. When she went to withdraw her funds, she was unable to do so and has now lost €17,000.
Local Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Damian Bartley said that investment scams are slick and can catch anyone out. “If something seems even a little too good to be true it probably is. So always check that an investment firm is regulated - and even if it is, check that the person you're talking to really works there and their contact details are genuine,” he said.
Investment fraud rose by 92% in 2023 with more than €25 million reported stolen. This was equal to the combined amount stolen in 2021 (€14m) and 2022 (€11.05m).
Sergeant Bartley said the trend for 2024 continues on an upward trajectory. In 2023, 42% of victims were in the 41-60 age range with a further 34% over 60 years of age.
