An Garda Síochána in association with the FraudSMART, a fraud awareness initiative led by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), are advising consumers to be on the alert to a phone scam in which fraudsters claim to be calling from utility companies on the pretence that there are issues with the customer’s broadband service.

Key details:
• A utility company: e.g. telephone/mobile phone provider, broadband provider or software company calls offering to “fix” computer or broadband problems. The caller will attempt to trick you into revealing your banking or card details and providing codes from your card reader to access your online banking and make fraudulent payments. 

• You may be asked to allow the caller to take remote control of your computer to “assist” you, however this could allow the fraudster to show you fraudulent screens.

• The callers are professional and will be able to transfer you to their “supervisor” should you request this.  They sound genuine.

Detective Superintendent Gerard Walsh of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau gave the following advice “If you have received a suspicious call, hang up and phone the company the person is purporting to be from directly yourself. Do not use a number given to you by the caller and make sure you hear a dial tone before making the call. If you are concerned that you may have fallen victim to a scam contact your local Garda Station and also your bank.”

Niamh Davenport, who leads the BPFI FraudSMART programme, offers the following advice to consumers: “Always be wary of any unexpected calls or texts especially those asking for personal details or payments. Never give your financial or personal information in order to release money, refund fees, or access to your computer. Fraudsters are very convincing but don’t be afraid to take the time to make the relevant checks. The caller will try to rush you or make you feel foolish and negligent if you don’t follow their instructions, but this is all designed to panic you into doing something you wouldn’t otherwise do.”

FraudSMART Advice:
Never give out personal information until you have checked that the caller is a genuine representative of the organisation they claim to be from. Advise the caller you will call them back once you have checked their identity. You can do this by:

• Looking up the organisation’s phone number using a phone book or website and calling the number yourself directly. Make sure you hear a dial tone before you dial. Do not use a number the caller has given to you as this could be a fake number.

• Don’t assume you can trust caller ID. Fraudsters can spoof a number, so it looks like they are calling from a particular company or bank, even when they are not. • Remember it takes two people to terminate a landline phone call, you can use a different phone line to independently check the caller’s identity or at least make sure you hear a dial tone before you call anyone.

• Fraudsters may have basic information about you in their possession (e.g. name, address etc), do not assume the caller is genuine because they have this information. They source this information from publicly available information e.g. social media, phone books, websites

• Don’t allow yourself to be rushed. Take your time and do the relevant checks.

Further advice/information
www.garda.ie for crime prevention advice and contact details of local Garda Stations
www.FraudSMART.ie for advice on fraud prevention

Gardaí in Naas are appealing for witnesses following a carjacking incident in Kill, Co Kildare on 19/2/2019

Shortly before 7am a female motorist in her 40s was flagged down by a male pedestrian as she approached a roundabout on Bothar Philip near Kill. She spoke with the pedestrian who proceeded to threaten her at knife point before making off in her car, a Blue Hyundai Tucson.  It’s understood the car travelled in the direction of the N7 (northbound). The woman, although not physically harmed, was left badly shaken by the incident.

The car has yet to be recovered and no arrests have been made to date. Investigating Gardaí say the pedestrian was wearing a high-vis jacket when he approached the car and may have been involved in a single car collision on the Straffan road a short time earlier.
  
Anyone with information is asked to contact Naas Garda Station 045-884300 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

The investigation is ongoing.

Gardaí are investigating a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the Ballinasloe to Laurencetown Road, at Sycamore Hill at approximately 8.30pm on Tuesday evening, 19th February, 2019.

The sole occupant of the vehicle, male driver (70 years of age) was fatally injured when his car hit a wall.  His body was removed from scene and taken to the morgue at University Hospital Galway where a post mortem will take place. 

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this collision or persons who may have travelled the road around the time of the collision to contact Ballinasloe Garda Station on 090-9631890, The Garda Confidential telephone Line 1800 66 111 or any Garda Station.

A 41 year old and a 37 year old male were scheduled to appear before Bray District Court this evening at 7.30pm charged in connection with the above seizure. 

A 28 year old male who had been detained at Ballymun Garda Station in relation to the above is scheduled to appear before Court No 4, The Criminal Courts of Justice at 10.30am today (22/02/19) charged in relation to the seizure.

Previous story below refers.

As a result of an intelligence led operation targeting an organised criminal group operating in the Dublin and Wicklow areas, a planned operation was carried out by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau and local Gardaí.

A number of searches of residences were carried out in Enniskerry, Tallaght and Ballymun areas on the 20th February 2019. Cocaine and Cannabis herb with a street value of approximately €250,000 (pending analysis) and approximately €20,000 in cash was seized.

Three males aged 41, 37 and 28 years were arrested and are currently detained under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act 1996 at Bray and Ballymun Garda stations.

Gardai wish to seek the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 29 year old Warren Altman who is missing from Cabinteely since the evening of the 20/02/19.

Warren is described as being approximately 5’ 10’’ tall and of medium build. When last seen he was wearing navy coloured jeans, a red and grey check shirt with a white t- shirt underneath and navy coloured boots. He is believed to be driving a 02 D registered Silver VW Polo car.

His family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone who has seen Warren or who can assist in locating him is asked to contact Dun Laoghaire Garda Station on 01 6665000 or any Garda Station.

Gardaí in Macroom wish to thank the public and media for their assistance in identifying the woman from the incident at Annagannihy Bridge, Rylane, Macroom Wednesday 20th February, 2019.

This has been confirmed as a Sudden Death and a file will be prepared for the Coroners Court.

Original Story:

Gardaí in Macroom are seeking the public’s assistance in relation to the discovery of a woman in her 70s who is seriously injured and was found on the side of the road at Annagannihy Bridge, Rylane, Macroom this morning Wednesday, 20th February, 2019 at approximately 6.40a.m.

This lady has been removed to Cork University Hospital and any persons who can assist Gardaí are asked to can contact Macroom Garda Station on 026 -20590 or any Garda Station.

Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of Elaine Sweeney, 16 years, who is missing from Balbriggan area since the 14th February, 2019.

Elaine was last seen in Donabate on the morning of 14th February, 2019 at approximately 11am and she is described as being 5’5″, with brown hair, of slim build with blue eyes. Elaine was wearing a red top, blue jeans and white runners. 

Anyone with information on her whereabouts are asked to contact Gardai in Balbriggan on 01 8020510, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Gardai wish to seek the publics assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 24 year old Susanna O’Malley.

Susanna was last seen at approximately 6am this morning (21/02/19) in Achill Sound, Co Mayo. Susanna is described as being 5’ 3’’ tall and with long dark brown hair. When last seen she was wearing a green woollen jumper, black leggings, grey jacket with a fur collar and black UGG boots.

Gardai and her family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone who has seen Susanna or who can assist in locating her is asked to contact Westport Garda Station on 098 25555 or any Garda Station.

Gardaí in Naas, Co. Kildare are appealing for witnesses following a fatal traffic collision.

At approximately 11pm last night, Sunday 17^th February 2019 Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to a single car crash at Rathangan Road, Allenwood South, Naas, Co Kildare.

The driver of the car a 52-year-old female (only occupant) was pronounced dead at the scene. The body of the deceased has been removed to the mortuary at Naas General Hospital where a post-mortem examination will be carried out today. The local Coroner has been notified.

Garda forensic collision investigators are at the scene and local diversions are in place.

Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact Naas Garda Station 045-884300 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

The investigation is ongoing.

Gardai wish to seek the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 54 year old Mary Ryan, who was last seen at Clonard Park, Waterford on 15th December, 2018.

Mary is described as being 5’ 7’’ in height, of slight build and with black hair. The photograph of Mary has blond hair, but it is now dyed black.  It is not known what clothing Mary was wearing when last seen. 

Anyone who has seen Mary or who can assist in locating her is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.