Scammers buy phones worth tens of thousands from cards stolen in Laois and Dublin

Victims in Laois were among those targeted by scammers who used deception to obtain bank cards and buy tens of thousands of euros worth of mobile phones. 

“Gardaí from several garda stations are investigating a number of deception and theft incidents that occurred between the 22nd September and 19th November 2024.  The victims in these cases were from the Kimmage, Balbriggan and Whitehall areas of Dublin and Portlaoise, Co Laois,” gardai stated. 

The deception and thefts featured on RTE’s Crimecall Programme on Monday night. 

“On each occasion, the victims were contacted by phone. The suspects managed to obtain their address and called to the victim’s homes.  On each occasion, the suspects managed to persuade the victims to hand over their bank card and PIN numbers. 

These bank cards were then used to make transactions across Dublin and Laois totalling tens of thousands of euro in value,” Gardaí said. 

They described the female suspect as being in her late 20s or early 30s with long black hair and long painted fingernails. 

The male suspect is described as being in his mid 20s with short black hair and a black goatee beard. 

Garda are appealing to anyone who has seen the suspects or who may have CCTV of them. 

“Have you seen or been approached to purchase high value phones? Particularly I-phone 16 and I-phone 16 Promax?” Gardaí asked. 

They also want to hear from anyone who is aware of any online websites or online accounts selling such items in Ireland?