Tallaght woman (22) is arrested in relation to smishing attack

UPDATE: The woman in her 20s, arrested in Tallaght yesterday, Monday December, 13, 2021, as part of an investigations into ‘smishing’ attacks has been released without charge. A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The statement released by Gardai also said that a man in his 20s, arrested by Gardai investigating ‘vishing’ calls, remains detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Clondalkin Garda station. 

GARDAI attached to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) conducted a search operation in Tallaght this morning (Monday, December 13).

This search operation came into effect as a result of an investigation into ‘smishing’ attacks on bank account holders.

Account holders received a text, believing it was from their bank with a link attached which brought them to a cloned website.

They then input their PINs which allows the fraudsters to take control of their bank account and transfer money to a money mule account.

In one such case, a victim lost €7,500 and it was laundered through the accounts of a 22 year old female.

This female was arrested this morning and is currently detained at Rathfarnham Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

GNECB were also investigating reports that a male, purporting to be a bank employee, was calling to the homes of account holders who had received ‘vishing’ calls. This man was collecting their bank cards from them. As the fraudsters already had the victim’s PINs, he was then able to use their cards to make withdrawals and purchases. A man was identified and he was arrested this morning.

This man (21 years) was arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, and is at Clondalkin Garda Station.

Gardai say investigations are ongoing.