‘Thugs go after the vulnerable, I got convicted but saw no cash’ says blackmailed money mule as teens targeted by gang

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• Posted by Peter Oakes

Thousands of teenagers in Ireland have been targeted by one of the world’s most violent cyber crime gangs, we can reveal.
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A special investigation by The Irish Sun today tells how young people — aged between 17 and 22 — have been used by the Black Axe crime gang as part of their efforts to launder €84million through Irish banks.

Those in the sights of the mob include people with addiction issues, individuals who are homeless and those who come from broken homes.

But others include those who have to pay off drug debts, the children of millionaires and top students.
They have blackmailed kids to act as money mules after obtaining intimate images of their targets.
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The online criminals — classified as ‘master manipulators’ by Gardai — use the “social engineering” tactic by sending a message on a social media app offering their target the chance to earn €500.


Source: https://www.thesun.ie/news/15306774/cyber-crime-gang-thugs-money-garda-arrest/