Garda warning as 'lucky' fraudsters enjoy success in Limerick

GARDAI are urging members of the public to be vigilant as a number of scams are currently on the go in Limerick.

Making a public appeal, divisional crime prevention officer Sergeant Ber Leetch commented that some criminals have enjoyed some success recently.

"I am sorry to say that the criminals have been very lucky in Limerick, they have scammed a lot of money from different people," she said.

In one incident which has been highlighted, a lady in her late sixties who lives in Kildimo has almost €2,000 taken from her bank account.

"She received a phone call from somebody claiming to be from Amazon Prime. When they informed her that she was
entitled to a refund, she gave them her bank details. They took almost €2,000 from her account," said Sgt Leetch.

In another incident, a man in his late forties, from Rathkeale, received a text from what he believed was Revenue. "He clicked on a link and was informed that he was entitled to a refund, he filled in his bank details and almost €1,300 was taken from his
account," explained the crime prevention officer.

In a third incident, a lady in her early sixties from Clareview in the city received a phone call from a person claiming to be
from telecommunications company eir.

"This male asked her to download an app onto her phone that would allow him to check her modem speed. She downloaded an app called 'Quick Support' but that actually allowed the male to take control of her phone. The male informed her that her modem speed was too slow and that he would reimburse her money. She gave him her post office account details and €140 was taken out," said Sgt Leetch.

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Gardai say the common theme is that the people were told they were entitled to a refund and the advice is to never give your bank account details to anybody.

"Be very suspicious and check out everything before you pay over any money," advised Sgt Leetch.