Gardaí are warning the public to be vigilant following a “staggering amount” of investment fraud. 

So far this year, investment fraud victims have lost €13.5 million and during 2023 the figure was over €28 million. 

Since 2020, €75 million has been stolen.

Between January 2020 and this month, 1,117 people have reported instances of fraud to Gardaí - 44% of which involved cryptocurrency.

Nearly two-thirds of victims are men and half are over 40.

"Investment fraud is on the rise and the schemes are more sophisticated than ever before,” Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan said. 

“Sadly, those who become victims are ordinary, decent people that are having huge amounts of their life savings stolen from them - be it their inheritance or a retirement lump sum.”

Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan urged people to be especially “mindful” when transferring large sums of cash. 

He also said any victims could be assured they would be treated in a non-judgemental manner by Gardaí.

Main image: Euro currency cash on a computer keyboard. Image: MoleQL / Alamy