Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3919Online fraud · Co. Donegal · 2 Feb 2026

GNECB day of action targets international online fraud group with Malta and UK connections

On 2 February 2026, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau carried out a day of action with Europol and authorities in Malta and the United Kingdom, as part of an ongoing online fraud investigation into an international organised crime group with connections to Malta, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The scheme targeted approximately 200 Maltese nationals, with estimated losses of €1 million. During the operation, a 25-year-old woman and an 82-year-old man were arrested in Malta, and gardaí searched multiple properties in the Donegal area and seized electronic devices, though no arrests were made in Donegal. Investigations are ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested2 Feb
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau carried out a day of action with Europol in an international online fraud investigation.
  • The investigation targets an international organised crime group with connections to Malta, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
When
The day of action took place on 2 February 2026.
Where
  • Gardaí searched multiple properties in the Donegal area.
  • The arrests were made in Malta during the operation.
Cause
The alleged scheme targeted approximately 200 Maltese nationals.
Other details
  • Losses from the alleged scheme are estimated at €1 million.
  • A 25-year-old woman was arrested in Malta during the operation.
  • An 82-year-old man was arrested in Malta during the operation.
  • No arrests were made during the Donegal phase of the investigation.
  • Two people were arrested in total during the operation.
Investigation
  • The operation was coordinated with Europol and authorities in Malta and the United Kingdom.
  • Electronic devices of evidential value were seized from the Donegal properties.
  • Investigations into the alleged fraud are ongoing.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereAn Garda Síochána searched multiple properties in the Donegal area. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe day of action took place on 2 February 2026. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations into the fraud are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe operation was part of an ongoing online fraud investigation targeting an international organised crime group with connections to Malta, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe fraud scheme targeted approximately 200 Maltese nationals. (garda.ie)
  • otherLosses from the scheme are estimated at €1 million. (garda.ie)
  • otherA 25-year-old woman was arrested in Malta during the operation. (garda.ie)
  • otherAn 82-year-old man was arrested in Malta during the operation. (garda.ie)
  • otherElectronic devices of evidential value were seized from the Donegal properties. (garda.ie)
  • otherNo arrests were made during the Donegal phase of the investigation. (garda.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Feb2026
    Arrestedgarda.ie, first report
    GNECB Participate in Day of Action Targeting International Online Fraud Investigation with Europol – 2nd February 2026

    First report of the GNECB/Europol coordinated day of action; two arrests in Malta, property searches and device seizures in Donegal, no Irish arrests.

    suspect, 25, femalesuspect, 82, male