Eight people have been arrested in connection with a major scam involving cryptocurrencies and help-desk fraud.
Together, the gang is thought to have netted some €1.7 million, although the total could be far higher.
The fraudsters approached their victims using text messages and phone calls, claiming to be from their bank and talking about suspicious transactions. The victims were asked to install a virus scanner and software which allowed the conmen and women to check their bank and cryptocurrency accounts.
They then told their victims that the accounts were infected and they should transfer their funds to a “safe” system – which had been set up by the scammers.
The investigation was prompted by more than 40 reports outlining the fraud. The suspects, six men and two women aged 23 to 39, were arrested at different locations throughout the country.
