Money scams in Laois ‘evolving every week’

Fraud has become the fastest-growing crime affecting Irish communities today. It doesn’t discriminate by age, background, or location. Whether you live in a town, village, or the countryside, chances are you or someone you know has been targeted.
These criminals are clever, patient, and professional. They exploit one thing above all: trust. And they’ve grown more convincing thanks to new technology — including artificial intelligence (AI) — that allows them to create realistic stories, voices, and online profiles.

Across Laois and Offaly, we’re continuing to see people lose significant sums of money through scams that are evolving every month. What often gets overlooked is the emotional impact. In speaking with victims, the feeling isn’t just frustration — it’s grief. People describe it as a punch to the chest. Years of savings disappear in seconds, and the shock, shame, and disbelief can leave people genuinely devastated. Financial loss can be replaced; emotional loss takes much longer to recover from.
Understanding how these scams work and knowing how to react is your best defence.

Fake Calls and Debit-Card Account Scams

One of the most common types of fraud right now involves calls, texts, or emails that appear to come from your bank or debit-card facility (for example, Revolut or N26). The message often claims there’s “unusual activity” on your account and urges you to move money to a “safe account” immediately.

This is a scam. Financial institutions will never ask you to transfer money elsewhere to protect it. Once you move the funds, they are almost always gone for good.

FraudSMART, the national fraud-awareness campaign led by the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, advises:
Never disclose full passwords, PINs, or one-time passcodes. Never click on links in unsolicited texts or emails. Never act on a call that pressures you to transfer funds quickly. Criminals also use caller-ID spoofing to make their number appear legitimate, even showing your bank’s name on your phone screen. Hang up, wait a few minutes, and call your bank using the official number on your card or app.

Artificial Intelligence and the New Scam Tactics

What’s changed recently is the use of AI to make scams more believable. Fraudsters are now using software that writes natural-sounding scripts and even generates synthetic voices. That means when someone rings you claiming to be from your bank, the Revenue, or even the Gardaí, they might sound calm, well-spoken and completely professional — because a machine has helped them rehearse every line. Some scams now even use AI-generated emails that perfectly copy the tone and branding of legitimate institutions. In short, don’t believe your eyes or ears — believe your instincts.

Investment Frauds

We are also seeing growing losses from fake investment opportunities. These may involve cryptocurrency, property ventures, or “green energy” schemes, often promoted on social media with professional-looking adverts.
FraudSMART warns that many of these scams now use AI-generated celebrity endorsements, claiming that well-known figures are recommending the investment. None of it is real. If you are tempted to invest, always: Check the Central Bank’s online Warning List. Get independent financial advice. Never rush to invest on the promise of guaranteed or high returns. If it sounds too good to be true — it is.

Buying and Selling Online

Social-media marketplaces are another area of concern. We continue to see people paying deposits for items that never arrive, or sellers handing over goods after being shown fake payment screenshots.
FraudSMART’s advice is simple: Meet in a public place and take someone with you if possible.
Never rely on screenshots as proof of payment — check that funds have cleared in your account.
Be especially careful with high-value goods such as phones, tools, quad bikes, and trailers.
If the buyer or seller is reluctant to meet in person or tries to move the conversation off the main platform, that’s a red flag.
Money Mules — Easy Money Isn’t Easy

A worrying trend involves young people — including students — being recruited to act as money mules. The pitch usually sounds harmless: “Can I use your account to move money and I’ll pay you for the favour?”
What they’re actually doing is laundering criminal proceeds.

According to FraudSMART, over €9.4 million was laundered through money-mule accounts in Ireland in the year to June 2025. Many of those involved were under 25. This is a serious criminal offence, with lifelong consequences: prosecution, a criminal record, and potential bans from opening future bank accounts. Parents, teachers, and youth leaders should talk openly with young people about these risks.

Phishing, Smishing, and Delivery Scams

Another persistent issue involves text or email messages pretending to be from courier companies, government agencies, or streaming services. They claim you owe a small fee or that a parcel cannot be delivered until you click a link.
The link leads to a fake website that steals your details. FraudSMART recommends using their ScamChecker Tool to verify links before clicking and to delete any message that feels suspicious. Remember: no legitimate company will ever text you asking for banking or card information. Be Informed. Be Alert. Be Secure.

FraudSMART’s national campaign sums up the best approach in three clear steps:
1. Be Informed — Keep up-to-date on scam types by visiting FraudSMART.ie.
2. Be Alert — Always double-check unexpected requests for money or personal data.
3. Be Secure — Protect your accounts with strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.

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What to Do If You’re Caught Out

Even the most cautious people can be caught off guard. The shock of realising you’ve been deceived can be overwhelming. Some victims say they can’t sleep for days; others describe it as a loss that “hits you in the stomach.” That emotional reaction is normal. Fraud is deeply personal.
If you believe you’ve been scammed:
1. Contact your bank immediately — the quicker you act, the better the chance of freezing or recovering funds.
2. Report the matter to Gardaí — we treat all fraud reports seriously and can advise on the next steps.
3. Keep evidence — call logs, texts, emails, screenshots, and transaction details all help investigations.
4. Alert others — warn family, neighbours, and community groups so they don’t fall victim either.

Sergeant Siobhán Moore of the Divisional Fraud Unit, who leads investigations into frauds affecting people locally, offers practical advice: “If you are targeted by a scam, keep every piece of evidence — screenshots, messages, emails, call logs, anything at all. Do not delete anything. Report it to us without delay. The sooner we know, the better chance we have of disrupting the criminals and protecting others.”

Why Community Awareness Matters

Fraud is the crime of our time. It crosses borders and technologies, but its impact is deeply personal. When someone’s savings vanish, they don’t just lose money — they lose confidence, security, and peace of mind. That sense of violation can linger long after the financial issue is resolved. It is, for many, a form of grief. Here in Laois and Offaly, we’ve seen how quickly information shared through community alert groups, parish newsletters, and local radio can stop these scams from spreading. Talking about it is one of the best defences we have. By staying alert and sharing knowledge, we protect one another.
So the next time a text, email, or call leaves you unsure — stop, think, and verify.