Garda regains control of official X accounts after cryptocurrency hack
Two official An Garda Síochána X accounts, @GardaTraffic and @GardaInfo, were hacked on 14 October 2026 when a third party gained unauthorised access to promote a cryptocurrency platform. The accounts, which have a combined following of more than 900,000 people, had some branding removed and their location set to Amsterdam, while cryptocurrency posts appeared on the profiles. Gardaí confirmed that no data was exposed and there was no unauthorised access to any Garda systems. Control of the accounts was re-established by 15 October 2026, and the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau has opened a criminal investigation, with the accounts to remain inactive for the coming days.
- Reported15 Oct
2 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A third party gained unauthorised access to the two official An Garda Síochána X accounts @GardaTraffic and @GardaInfo to promote a cryptocurrency platform.
- Some branding was removed from both accounts, their location was set to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and cryptocurrency posts appeared on the profiles.
- Gardaí confirmed that no data was exposed and there was no unauthorised access to any Garda systems or Garda controlled data.
- Where
- The incident is recorded in Dublin, though the accounts' location was set to Amsterdam.
- When
- The unauthorised access occurred on 14 October 2026.
- Investigation
- The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau is carrying out a criminal investigation into the security breach.
- Gardaí warned the public not to interact with any content posted on the accounts.
- Other details
- Control of the official Garda X accounts was re-established by 15 October 2026.
- The X accounts will remain inactive for the coming days to allow the investigation to proceed.
- An Garda Síochána stated it is not making any further comment at this time.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo social media accounts run by An Garda Síochána were hacked. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe accounts @GardaTraffic and @GardaInfo were breached on the X platform. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe accounts have a combined following of more than 900,000 people. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe unauthorised access occurred on the X platform only. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatNo data has been exposed. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatSome branding was removed from both accounts. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe location of the accounts was set to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatPosts about cryptocurrency appeared on the profiles. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau is carrying out investigations. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe security breach is now subject to a criminal investigation. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí warned the public not to interact with any content posted on the accounts. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherControl of the official Garda X accounts @gardainfo and @gardatraffic has been re-established. (garda.ie)
- otherThe X accounts will remain inactive for the coming days. (garda.ie)
- otherThe unauthorised access occurred only on the X accounts on the X platform. (garda.ie)
- otherThere was no unauthorised access to any Garda systems. (garda.ie)
- otherThere is no loss or impact on any Garda controlled data. (garda.ie)
- otherGardaí are not making any further comment at this time. (garda.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Oct2026Garda social media accounts hacked by crypto promoters
Confirms hack details: branding removed, location set to Amsterdam, crypto posts appeared, combined following of over 900,000, no data exposed, Gardaí warning public not to interact with content.
- 15 Oct202615/10/2026 Update Statement: An Garda Síochána X accounts
Official Garda statement confirming re-establishment of X accounts, stating no access to Garda systems or data, and confirming the breach is now subject to a criminal investigation with no further comment at this time.