Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Six arrests in international fraud call investigation

Six arrests in international fraud call investigation

Gardaí arrested six people as part of an international investigation into a website which enabled fraudsters to make phone calls from trusted numbers to commit cybercrime.
The website iSpoof.cc was taken down earlier this month but is believed to have been used by 21,000 fraudsters worldwide.

Searches were also carried out in Dublin, Meath and Louth as part of an investigation involving law enforcement agencies in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Europe.

Fraudsters paid to gain access to the website which made automated phone calls and sent texts which appeared to come from trusted and recognised numbers such as the HSE or An Garda Síochána.

If people then pressed on a number or a link they were drawn into a fraud where their personal information was gathered and money stolen.

In the 12 months up to August this year, around 10 million fraudulent calls were made from the website.

It is estimated victims worldwide lost over €115m.

Operation Elaborate is a global law enforcement investigation into a type of cybercrime known as spoofing.

In Ireland, gardaí searched 17 places in Kildare, Meath and Dublin and arrested six people.

They also identified 64 suspect accounts and seized 132 phones, tablets, computers and other electronic devices.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said this is just the start of a significant investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau which will bring those involved here before the courts.

Europol's Executive Director Ms Catherine De Bolle said the arrests send a message to cybercriminals that they can "no longer hide behind perceived international anonymity".

"Together with our international partners, we will continue to relentlessly push the envelope to bring criminals to justice," she said.

Detective Inspector with the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau Mel Smyth said an estimated €115m was lost worldwide as a result of the iSpoof website.

Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Smyth said that around €50m was lost in the UK and while the exact amount lost in Ireland is unknown, it did run into the millions.

He said more searches will be carried out in Ireland and more people will be arrested.

Mr Smyth urged people to be wary of unsolicited texts and calls and to use banking apps, rather than clicking on a link to enter bank account details.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×