Gardaí in Waterford have arrested nine men as part an investigation involving Money Laundering and Smishing (Fraudulent SMS/WhatsApp Messages) nationally and internationally.
€1.12 million of cryptocurrency was seized along with €30,000 frozen.
Two vehicles, a VW Golf and Mercedes, were also seized, long with a property identified in Dubai.
This investigation has identified organised criminal connections across Europe, the UK, Dubai and South Africa.
Two of the men arrested have been charged with money laundering and terrorist financing, theft and fraud offences.
Europol and Garda Liaisons in Irish Embassies are facilitating the investigation team in liaison with other Police Forces to progress this investigation internationally.
The seizure of cryptocurrency, in October and November 2023 as part of the investigation, is the first major seizure of cryptocurrency in the area of Organised Cyber Enabled frauds by An Garda Síochána.
The investigation is also conducting enquires into persons of varying nationalities, multi-linguistic, fluent in a number of languages to deceive their victims both nationally and internationally.
Gardaí are asking members of the public to always be suspicious of texts and calls asking for any personal data or money.
Sophisticated fraudsters use texts, calls and emails to trick members of the public into giving away their personal data, enabling the fraudsters to take over their bank account/devices or debit/credit card details.
