Ireland Gardaí warn of fake Garda house caller targeting older residents in Laois
On Saturday 29 June 2024, a man driving a black car called to homes in Emo, Ballybrittas and Ballyroan, Co Laois, claiming to be a Garda, in incidents targeting older and vulnerable people. Gardaí reported three more incidents on the morning of 1 July 2024 in the Ballyroan and Ballybrittas area. No arrest or charge has been reported. The latest development, on 1 July, is that gardaí said they are following a definite line of enquiry and asked anyone with CCTV footage to check it and contact them.
- Reported1 Jul
2 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man driving a black car called to homes claiming to be a Garda.
- Gardaí reported suspicious door-to-door callers targeting older and vulnerable people.
- Where
- The 29 June calls were reported in Emo, Ballybrittas and Ballyroan, Co Laois.
- The 1 July incidents were reported in the Ballyroan and Ballybrittas area, with no mention of Emo in that article.
- When
- The calls took place on Saturday evening, 29 June 2024.
- Gardaí said three more incidents were reported on the morning of 1 July 2024.
- Investigation
- Gardaí are investigating a number of incidents where people were approached by someone asking questions about money.
- Gardaí say they are following a definite line of enquiry over the incidents.
- Gardaí ask anyone who has CCTV footage to check it and contact them if anything suspicious shows up.
- Gardaí ask people to report suspicious activity immediately using 999 and to speak to older or vulnerable people in their communities.
- Other details
- Gardaí said they do not call to check whether money is counterfeit and take it from people.
- Pretending to be a Garda is in itself a criminal offence.
- Charges
- No arrest or charge has been reported.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThree incidents of suspicious door-to-door callers targeting older and vulnerable people were reported. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatPersons were calling to the homes of older and more vulnerable people. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatA man driving a black car called to homes in the three villages, claiming to be a Garda. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe suspicious activity was reported in the Ballyroan and Ballybrittas area. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereIncidents were reported in Emo, Ballybrittas and Ballyroan, Co Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenGardaí said three more incidents had been reported that morning in Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe calls took place on Saturday evening, 29 June. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí appealed for the public to be vigilant and to talk to older or vulnerable people in their communities. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí asked people to report suspicious activity immediately using 999. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí say they are following a definite line of enquiry over the incidents. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí are investigating a number of incidents where people were approached by someone asking questions around money. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí appeal to anyone who records CCTV footage to check it and contact them if anything suspicious shows up. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherGardaí said they do not call to check whether money is counterfeit and take it from people. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherPretending to be a Garda is in itself a criminal offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Jul2024Vulnerable older Laois residents fall victim to fake Garda house caller
Reports a spate of fake Garda house-caller incidents in three Laois villages on the same evening, with Garda advice and an appeal for CCTV footage.
suspect, male - 1 Jul2024Laois gardaí issue appeal over door-to-door scams
Adds that three more incidents were reported on the morning of 1 July 2024 in the Ballyroan and Ballybrittas areas, and gives advice to report suspicious activity by calling 999 and that gardaí do not call to check money.
suspect