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The declining appeal of the cryptocurrency market has led to a shift in fraudulent activities in Ireland, with bad actors now targeting traditional banking customers. Despite the once-dominant role that cryptocurrency scams played, accounting for a staggering 95% of investment frauds at their peak, their prevalence has significantly decreased.
In a change of tactics, scammers in Ireland have now honed in on banking customers. According to the Irish Independent, in 2023, scam artists defrauded Irish citizens of a substantial 20 million euros ($21.8 million) by posing as officials from established British banks and trading entities. These fraudsters use the guise of well-known banking institutions and primarily reach out to potential victims through phone calls and emails.
Recent investigations by the Irish police into these scams have yielded positive results, leading to the recovery of 2 million euros ($2.1 million) from a specific scam operation. Since the beginning of 2023, authorities have successfully reclaimed approximately 4 million euros out of the total 20 million euros swindled.
The modus operandi of these fraudsters has shifted from intricate cryptocurrency scams to a simpler approach. They replicate genuine banking websites and promotional materials to entice unsuspecting individuals into parting with their hard-earned money. The police have identified over 20 bank accounts located in the UK that are associated with these scam operations. However, the complete shutdown of this fraudulent network remains pending.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the Bank of Ireland has urged its customers to exercise caution. They've advised against giving in to pressure from individuals claiming to be bank employees, who often employ tactics characterized by hasty decision-making—a hallmark of scam tactics.
In a related development from Australia, Sophie Gilder, the Commonwealth Bank's Managing Director of Blockchain and Digital Assets, noted that one out of every three dollars scammed in Australia is connected to cryptocurrencies. Nigel Dobson from ANZ cited data from the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange, suggesting that this percentage might be closer to 40%.
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