It has been confirmed that five people (Three men and two women) have been arrested as part of a major Garda investigation into fraudulent activities and money laundering, which involved a financial scam that cost Dublin Zoo alone, close to half a million euros.
This morning a total of four searches; three in Tipperary and one in Dublin, were carried out as part of an ongoing investigation headed by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB).
Invoice redirect fraud
In December of last year, Dublin Zoo fell victim to an invoice fraud scam that involved the half million euro theft. While the full facts of the case remains unclear publicly, it is understood that as part of the scam, some businesses were sent invoice emails purporting to be from suppliers, which providing false bank details.
It is understood that the GNECB, assisted by the Cyber Crime Unit and Garda personnel from Co. Tipperary and Blanchardstown, Dublin, assisted in carrying out the four searches. Those arrested in connection with this ongoing investigation into organised criminal activity, are understood to be of varying ages; somewhere between 20 and 60 years of age.
The suspects presently remain detained at Garda stations in Clonmel, Cahir and Tallaght; held under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
Gardaí now claim that they have frozen bank accounts, recovering a substantial part of the stolen funds.
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