Fraud offences IN IRELAND up by 73% in six months - garda figures

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• Posted by Peter Oakes

Overall fraud offences have increased by 73% in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2024, according to provisional crime statistics from An Garda Síochána.

The garda figures are subject to change, with official statistics published by the Central Statistics Office on a quarterly basis.

The statistics show significant increases across most forms of fraud, with the biggest rise recorded in forgery or false instruments, which rose by 200% between January to the end of June 2025 compared to the same time last year.
An Garda Síochána said "deception or other" rose by 178%, shopping or online auction fraud was up 166% and money laundering increased by 82%.

Reports of "bogus tradesmen" had a 57% increase during this time compared to previous statistics for this period, while fraud relating to accommodation rose by 22% and so-called "account takeover fraud" rose by 18%.

​However, gardaí said other forms of fraud decreased, including a drop of 88% in reports of counterfeit notes and coins.
Instances of phishing, vishing and smishing reduced by 26% - such crimes are usually carried out online, via a phone call or text message.

Insurance fraud also dropped by 45%, the figures showed.

Information and statistics on other crimes are also reported. See source link below.

​Source: https://www.rte.ie/news/crime/2025/0818/1528888-garda-provisional-crime-figures/