Donegal raids linked to Malta arrests in €1m online fraud case

Several properties in Donegal were raided by Gardai this week linked to a €1 million online fraud probe.

Gardai searched a number of properties within the Donegal Division. Some electronic devices were seized and have been described as being “of evidential value”.

While no arrests have been made at this point of the operation, Gardai said that their investigations “are ongoing”.

Specialised police in Malta coordinated raids on Tuesday, which led to the arrest of the two people who are linked to the Donegal raids.

Police in Malta believe that a 25-year-old woman was the main figure in a scheme where victims have been duped through the impersonation of a financial institution.

Links to individuals in Donegal have been made and on Tuesday, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB), in coordination with Europol and authorities in Malta and the United Kingdom, carried out a day of action.

This was a part of an ongoing online fraud investigation targeting an international organised crime group with connections to Malta, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The operation centres on a scheme that targeted approximately 200 Maltese nationals, resulting in losses estimated at €1 million.

During the operation in Malta, two individuals - a 25-year-old woman and an 82-year-old man - were arrested.

Detectives from Donegal, armed with search warrants, swooped on properties in Donegal as part of the multi-national probe.

In Malta, €8,000 in cash was seized while several electronic devices and mobile phones were also lifted as part of the operat9on.