As the world continues to navigate through the challenging times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudsters have seized the opportunity to swindle unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned money. One of these scams that have recently resurfaced is the Urgent Garda Summons scam, where fraudsters pose as members of An Garda Síochána (Irish police force) and demand thousands of euros from their targets. In this article, we delve into the details of this scam, its modus operandi, and what you can do to protect yourself from falling prey to these criminals.
An email scam posing as An Garda Siochana is circulating and could trick victims into surrendering thousands of euros. The fraudulent email accuses the receiver of being a sex offender following internet surveillance, and demands a fixed criminal fine of €5,879 to avoid a public prosecutor’s appearance and being filed as a sex offender. If the victim refuses, the scammers threaten to resort to criminal proceedings. The Gardai warn that they don’t and won’t contact a person under investigation in this manner. The public can find further fraud prevention advice from the Gardai here.
In conclusion, it is crucial to be vigilant and cautious when it comes to potential scams, especially those claiming to be from reputable authorities like An Garda Síochána. Remember to never give out personal information or hand over money without thoroughly verifying the authenticity of the situation. If you or someone you know have fallen victim to this urgent garda summons scam, do not hesitate to report it to the authorities. By staying informed and aware, we can protect ourselves and others from falling prey to these malicious schemes.
