A Kerry TD says online fraudsters are benefitting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly was speaking after CSO and An Garda Siochana figures show a rise in fraud offences in recent months, with a particular increase in online fraud.
The latest quarterly figures from the Central Statistics Office and An Garda Siochana show there has been a 15% increase in fraud offences during the first three months of 2020, compared to last year.
Deputy Pa Daly, who’s also Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Equality, Integration and Law Reform, has urged the government to take action.
He says that fraud, especially online fraud, represents a serious opportunity for criminals.
Deputy Daly says online shopping and payments are a huge growth area, so it has become second nature for many to share their payment details online.
He claims the pandemic will continue to incentivise criminals to exploit vulnerable people as other avenues for their activities generate less return.
The Kerry TD adds the Programme for Government commits to 'rapidly' implementing the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing, which includes resourcing the National Cyber Crime Bureau.
He is calling on the government to get serious about tackling online fraud.
