An Garda Síochána has issued an alert to the public over online websites offering un-secured loans.

The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said a number of websites offering the un-secured loans are targeting vulnerable persons and persons who have had difficulty obtaining loans from established financial institutions.

The fraud is known as advance fee fraud.

The victim applies for a loan through a website that offers loans, which it is claimed will be processed quickly.

The website may also claim that loans are available without the need for a good credit rating or the need to provide collateral for the loan and/or to provide any documentation - apart from basic personal details.

Some of these firms also claim to be regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland ('Central Bank') when this is not the case

The victim will receive a call or communication within a very short time, informing them that their loan application has been approved and providing details of the amount of the loan and the monthly repayment

They will then be asked to send an amount of money to the lender in advance of the loan amount being issued, with different reasons given for this advance fee.

For example as an up-front fee, to pay for Personal Protection Insurance, to discharge overseas taxes or to show that they have the ability to meet the loan repayments.

But Gardaí say no loan monies are ever issued, and the advance fee is lost.

People are advised to never apply for a loan from an entity that is not authorised by the Central Bank, and always check the official Central Bank website to see if the firm is authorised by them.

Gardaí have said there may also be instances where a firm 'clones' the details of an authorised entity, by taking their details and claiming to either be that entity or an associated entity.