Ireland Five released without charge in Longford invoice-redirect fraud case
Four men and one woman in their late teens and 20s were arrested on 3 August 2021 in County Longford on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules and laundering money in bank accounts for a criminal organisation involved in worldwide invoice-redirect fraud. The organisation is estimated to have stolen over €15.5 million and laundered near €14 million in Ireland. The five were detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 at Longford, Mullingar and Granard Garda stations before being released without charge, with a file to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Their arrests bring the total number of people arrested in connection with Operation Skein to approximately 78.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested3 Aug
9 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Four men and one woman in their late teens and 20s were arrested on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules and laundering money in bank accounts for a criminal organisation involved in worldwide invoice-redirect fraud.
- The criminal organisation is estimated to have stolen over €15.5 million and laundered near €14 million in Ireland.
- Where
- The five were detained at Longford, Mullingar and Granard Garda stations in County Longford.
- When
- The arrests and five searches took place on the morning of 3 August 2021.
- Investigation
- Operation Skein is a GNECB investigation into worldwide invoice-redirect fraud and the laundering of proceeds through Irish bank accounts.
- Approximately 78 people have been arrested in connection with the criminal organisation to date.
- More arrests are expected in the operation.
- Charges
- The five were arrested for money laundering offences.
- In court
- The five were detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 for up to seven days.
- Other details
- The five were released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Gardaí believe the scam is led by Nigerian criminals based in Ireland and abroad, with many Italian and Romanian suspects also identified.
88 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe arrested are four men and one woman aged in their late teens and 20s (garda.ie)
- whatThe proceeds are laundered through bank accounts in Ireland (garda.ie)
- whatThe Criminal Organisation is estimated to have stolen over €15.5 million (garda.ie, offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- whatThe Criminal Organisation is estimated to have laundered near €14 million in Ireland (garda.ie, offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- whatFive people were arrested in County Longford for money laundering offences. (rte.ie)
- whatThe five consist of four men and one woman, all in their late teens and 20s. (rte.ie)
- whatThe criminal organisation is estimated to have stolen over €15.5 million and laundered almost €14 million in Ireland. (rte.ie)
- whatFive people were arrested across County Longford (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe investigation targets international BEC/Invoice re-direct fraud committed from Ireland (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe proceeds are laundered through accounts in Ireland (longfordleader.ie)
- whatFour men and a woman are being held at garda stations across Co Longford (longfordleader.ie)
- whatFour men and one woman in their late teens and 20s were arrested (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe arrested individuals are four men and one woman aged in their late teens and 20s. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe suspects are also suspected of laundering money in bank accounts for a Criminal Organisation. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe criminal organisation laundered proceeds through bank accounts in Ireland. (kildarenow.com)
- whatApproximately 78 people have been arrested in connection with the criminal organisation. (kildarenow.com)
- whatFive searches were carried out on Tuesday morning at various locations across Longford (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatFour men and one woman aged in their late teens and 20s were detained (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe proceeds of the frauds are laundered through bank accounts in Ireland (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe criminal organisation has stolen over €15.5 million (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatNear €14 million has been laundered in Ireland (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatFive people in their late teens and early 20s were arrested in Co Longford (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe group consisted of four men and one woman (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe criminal group has stolen more than €15.5 million (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe criminal group has laundered close to €14 million in Ireland (irishtimes.com)
- whereThey are detained at Longford, Mullingar and Granard Garda Stations (garda.ie)
- whereThree people were arrested in Longford and one in Granard (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe suspects are held at Longford, Mullingar and Granard Garda Stations (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe suspects are detained at Longford, Mullingar and Granard Garda Stations (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereFive searches were conducted in County Longford. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe five were detained at Longford, Mullingar and Granard Garda stations (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe arrests took place on the morning of 3 August 2021 (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe searches and arrests took place on 3 August 2021. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe arrests took place on Tuesday, 3 August 2021 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí from the Longford District supported by GNECB conducted five searches in Co Longford on 3 August 2021 (garda.ie)
- investigationOperation SKEIN is a GNECB investigation into a Criminal Organisation involved in worldwide invoice redirect frauds (garda.ie, offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationApproximately 78 people have been arrested connected to the Criminal Organisation (garda.ie)
- investigationGNECB works with local districts and international Police Forces through Eurojust, Europol and Interpol (garda.ie, longfordleader.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe arrests followed searches by local gardaí and the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. (rte.ie)
- investigationOperation Skein is a GNECB investigation into a criminal organisation involved in worldwide invoice-redirect frauds and laundering proceeds through Irish bank accounts. (rte.ie)
- investigationAround 78 people have been arrested in connection with the criminal organisation to date. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe arrests were made as part of Operation Skein (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationThe operation was locally led and assisted by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí from Longford, supported by GNECB detectives, carried out five searches at various locations across the county (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationOperation SKEIN targets a Criminal Organisation involved in worldwide invoice redirect frauds and laundering proceeds through Irish bank accounts (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationApproximately 78 people have been arrested connected to this Criminal Organisation (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGNECB works with international Police Forces through Eurojust, Europol and Interpol (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationFiles are being prepared for the DPP and GYDO in respect of the remaining suspects (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí from Longford and the GNECB carried out five searches in the county (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe five were detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe five can be detained for up to seven days (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTheir detention brings the total number of people arrested in connection with Operation Skein to 78 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationOperation Skein is a GNECB investigation into worldwide invoice-redirect fraud and the subsequent laundering of proceeds through bank accounts in Ireland (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFiles are being prepared by the DPP and the Garda Youth Division Bureau (irishtimes.com)
- investigationMore arrests are expected to be carried out (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe GNECB will continue to target members of the criminal organisation through Eurojust, Europol and Interpol (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe five people were arrested for money laundering offences in Co. Longford (garda.ie)
- chargeFive people were arrested for money laundering offences (garda.ie, kildarenow.com)
- chargeThey are detained on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules (garda.ie)
- chargeThey are also suspected of laundering money in bank accounts for a Criminal Organisation (garda.ie)
- chargeThe five are held on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules and laundering money in bank accounts for a criminal organisation. (rte.ie)
- chargeThe suspects are detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe suspects are detained on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules and laundering money in bank accounts for a Criminal Organisation (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeThe suspects are detained on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe suspects are also detained on suspicion of laundering money in bank accounts for a Criminal Organisation (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThey were arrested on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules and laundering money for a criminal organisation (irishtimes.com)
- courtThey are detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 (garda.ie)
- courtA number of convictions have been recorded and numerous are before the courts charged (garda.ie)
- courtFiles are being prepared for the DPP and GYDO for the rest (garda.ie)
- courtA number of convictions have been recorded and numerous are before the courts charged with offences (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA number of convictions have been recorded in the operation. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtNumerous suspects are before the courts charged with offences. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtFiles are being prepared for the DPP and GYDO for the remaining suspects. (kildarenow.com)
- courtOf the 78 arrests, some have been convicted while others remain before the courts charged (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe five people have been released without charge (garda.ie)
- otherThey can be detained for up to 7 days (garda.ie)
- otherMore arrests are anticipated (garda.ie)
- otherThe five can be detained for up to seven days under Operation Skein. (rte.ie)
- otherMore arrests are expected. (rte.ie)
- otherAll five suspects can be held for up to seven days (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe Criminal Organisation has stolen over €15.5 million and laundered near €14 million in Ireland (longfordleader.ie)
- otherApproximately 78 people have now been arrested in connection with the Criminal Organisation (longfordleader.ie)
- otherA number of convictions have been recorded and numerous suspects are before the courts or have files being prepared for the DPP and GYDO (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe suspects can be detained for up to 7 days. (kildarenow.com)
- otherMore arrests are anticipated in the operation. (kildarenow.com)
- otherGardaí believe the scam is led by Nigerian criminals based in Ireland and abroad (irishtimes.com)
- otherMany Italian and Romanian suspects have also been identified during the investigation (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Aug2021Five arrested in Longford in operation targeting crime group
Reports on five arrests in Longford, Mullingar and Granard as part of Operation Skein. The five were detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. The operation has resulted in 78 arrests total, with the criminal group having stolen over €15.5 million and laundered close to €14 million in Ireland. The scam is believed to be led by Nigerian criminals, with Italian and Romanian suspects also identified.
suspect, late teens to early 20s, malesuspect, late teens to early 20s, malesuspect, late teens to early 20s, malesuspect, late teens to early 20s, malesuspect, late teens to early 20s, female - 3 Aug2021Gardaí swoop on suspected money laundering gang in Midlands
Reports the latest round of raids in Operation SKEIN, with five people detained in Longford, Mullingar and Granard on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules for a criminal organisation that has stolen over €15.5 million and laundered near €14 million in Ireland.
suspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, female - 3 Aug2021Gardaí makes arrests for money laundering following searches
Reports the five arrests and provides context on Operation SKEIN, including the estimated €15.5 million stolen and €14 million laundered, and that approximately 78 people have been arrested in connection with the criminal organisation to date.
suspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, female - 3 Aug2021Five arrested in Midlands as Gardaí swoop on suspected money laundering gang
Reports the overnight raids and five arrests under Operation SKEIN, details the broader GNECB investigation into a Criminal Organisation with an estimated €15.5 million stolen and €14 million laundered, and notes approximately 78 people have been arrested to date.
suspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, female - 3 Aug2021UPDATE: Five held as Longford Gardaí swoop on suspected money laundering gang
Update confirming the five suspects are four men and a woman in their late teens and 20s, detained at Longford, Mullingar and Granard Garda Stations under Section 50, on suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules and laundering money for a Criminal Organisation. Adds that the organisation has stolen over €15.5 million and laundered near €14 million, and that approximately 78 people have now been arrested in connection with the case.
suspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, malesuspect, late teens and 20s, female - 3 Aug2021BREAKING: Five arrested as Longford Gardaí launch suspected international fraud probe
Confirms the operation was locally led and assisted by GNECB, with three arrests in Longford and one in Granard; describes the fraud as international BEC/Invoice re-direct fraud committed from Ireland with proceeds laundered through Irish accounts.
suspectsuspectsuspectsuspectsuspect - 3 Aug2021Five arrested as part of money mule investigation
Adds the composition of the five (four men and one woman), the specific suspicion of acting as and recruiting money mules and laundering money in bank accounts for a criminal organisation, the estimated €15.5 million stolen and €14 million laundered, and that around 78 people have been arrested in total with more expected.
suspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, female - 3 Aug2021Operation SKEIN, Searches and Five Arrests, Co. Longford, 3rd August 2021
Adds that the five arrested are four men and one woman, detained at Longford, Mullingar and Granard Garda Stations; the criminal organisation is estimated to have stolen over €15.5 million and laundered near €14 million in Ireland; approximately 78 people have been arrested in total; GNECB works with international forces through Eurojust, Europol and Interpol.
suspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, malesuspect, late teens/20s, female - 3 Aug2021Update: Operation SKEIN, Searches and Five Arrests, Co. Longford, 3rd August 2021
The five people have been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the DPP.
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