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. 7050Money laundering; smishing (fraud) · Co. Waterford

Nine men arrested in Waterford money-laundering and smishing investigation

On 21 November 2023 Gardaí in Waterford announced the arrest of nine men in an investigation into money laundering and smishing, which involves fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp messages, both nationally and internationally. Gardaí believe the man running the Waterford gang is Irish, and the sources give no ages for the suspects and no identified victims. The alleged criminal activity is said to operate in Europe, the UK, Dubai and South Africa, and €1.12 million in cryptocurrency was seized in October and November 2023. Nine men were arrested in the Republic, and two were charged with alleged offences including money laundering, theft and fraud. The latest development is that the two men are before the courts, and the investigation is ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged21 Nov
  4. In court21 Nov
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí in Waterford arrested nine men in an investigation into money laundering and smishing, which means fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp messages.
Where
The investigation is in Co Waterford, and the criminal activity is said to operate in Europe, the UK, Dubai and South Africa.
When
The cryptocurrency was seized in October and November 2023, and Gardaí issued their press release on 21 November 2023.
Cause
The smishing messages claim to be from postal offices, delivery companies and financial institutions, and trick recipients into clicking a link; the Irish Mirror says banks instead of financial institutions.
Investigation
  • Gardaí seized €1.12 million in cryptocurrency, which Gardaí describe as the first major seizure of its kind by An Garda Síochána, while the Irish Times calls it the biggest quantity of cryptocurrency ever taken from fraud criminals.
  • Gardaí also froze €30,000 in other monies, seized two vehicles, a VW Golf and a Mercedes, and identified one property in Dubai.
  • The Waterford Division Crime Hub leads the inquiry with help from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and Europol.
  • Gardaí are also making enquiries into people of varying nationalities who speak several languages and deceive victims nationally and internationally.
Other details
  • Gardaí believe the man running the Waterford gang is Irish, and the gang has links to Black Axe, an international fraud and money laundering syndicate that originated in Nigeria.
  • The investigation is ongoing.
Charges
Two of the nine men arrested are charged with alleged offences that cite the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, Part 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
In court
The two charged men are before the courts on alleged money laundering, theft and fraud offences.
39 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí in Waterford arrested nine men in an investigation involving money laundering and smishing nationally and internationally. (garda.ie)
  • whatGardaí are investigating a fraud gang based in Waterford that has arrested nine suspects. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe gang is specialised in frauds based on bogus text messages. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí arrested nine men as part of an investigation into money laundering and smishing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe criminal activity operates in several countries in Europe, the UK, Dubai and South Africa. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe investigation is in Co Waterford. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe criminal activity is said to operate in several countries, including in Europe, the UK, Dubai and South Africa. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe cryptocurrency was seized in October and November 2023. (garda.ie)
  • causeThe criminal activity involves fraudulent texts and WhatsApp messages claiming to be from postal offices, delivery companies and financial institutions. (garda.ie)
  • causeSmishing is a scam using SMS and WhatsApp messages that trick receivers into clicking a link. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí seized €1.12 million in cryptocurrency. (garda.ie)
  • investigation€30,000 in other monies was frozen. (garda.ie)
  • investigationTwo vehicles, a VW Golf and a Mercedes, were seized. (garda.ie)
  • investigationOne property has been identified in Dubai. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí describe the cryptocurrency seizure as the first major one of its kind in organised cyber-enabled fraud. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation is coordinated by the Waterford Crime Office with help from several Garda units, Europol and others. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation is ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí believe the man running the Waterford gang is Irish. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationEnquiries are being made into people of varying nationalities who speak several languages and deceive victims nationally and internationally. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating the ownership and purchase of a property in Dubai. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Waterford Division Crime Hub is carrying out a major criminal inquiry into the Irish-based gang, assisted by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and Europol have also been involved in the inquiry. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationOfficers seized €1.12 million in cryptocurrency, described as the first major seizure of its kind by An Garda Síochána. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationCurrency, vehicles and property believed to be proceeds of organised crime were seized. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA separate €30,000 in other monies was frozen, two vehicles were seized, and a property in Dubai was identified. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeCharges cite the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. (garda.ie)
  • chargeCharges cite Part 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. (garda.ie)
  • chargeCharges cite the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. (garda.ie)
  • chargeNine members have been arrested in the Republic and two have been charged. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe two men already before the courts face charges including alleged money laundering, thefts and frauds. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeTwo men are before the courts charged with various alleged offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe alleged offences include breaches of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtTwo men are before the courts charged with alleged offences. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe Waterford group has links to the Black Axe gang, an international fraud and money laundering syndicate that originated in Nigeria. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAbout €1.12 million in cryptocurrency has been seized over the last two months. (irishtimes.com)
  • other€30,000 in accounts has been frozen. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí have seized two vehicles, a VW Golf and a Mercedes. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe investigation is being coordinated by the Waterford Crime Office with help from several Garda units and Europol. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherInvestigations are ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Nov2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai arrest nine men as part of money-laundering investigation in Waterford

    First report of this investigation. Adds the arrest of nine men, the €1.12 million cryptocurrency seizure, the €30,000 frozen, two vehicles seized, a property identified in Dubai, and that two men are before the courts.

    accused, maleaccused, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, male
  2. 21 Nov2023
    Chargedirishtimes.com, first report
    Fraud gang led by Irishman, linked to Black Axe syndicate, is focus of major international investigation

    First report of this investigation. Adds the arrests, charges, cryptocurrency and asset seizures, the Black Axe link and the Irish man believed to run the gang.

    suspect, male, Irish, irishaccused, maleaccused, male
  3. 21 Nov2023
    In courtgarda.ie, follow-up
    An Garda Síochána Operation Targeting National and International Money Laundering and Smishing - 21st November 2023

    Press release on a Garda operation: nine men arrested, two charged, with details of the offences cited, seizures totalling over €1.12 million in cryptocurrency, international links, and the Garda fraud awareness advice.

    accused, maleaccused, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, male