FBI and gardaí team up

Two people have been arrested in Cork as the result of a cooperative effort between the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) and the FBI.

Following a number of searches carried out yesterday, the GNCCB arrested one male aged 40 and a female aged 42 for suspected money laundering offences.

Property and assets, including crypto assets, were seized during the searches and a number of computers are being forensically examined for evidence.

The arrests were made as part of an ongoing investigation into transnational cybercrime. The two arrested persons were arrested under provisions of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.

The GNCCB has been conducting parallel investigations with the FBI into the sale of illicit items online. These include ransomware as a service, personal banking details, credit card details and false documents such as passports and driving licences.

With assistance from the Garda Liaison Officer in Washington and the FBI Legal Attaché based in London, the GNCCB have been liaising with the FBI in recent months for the purpose of targeting the activities of cybercriminals.

Detective Superintendent Pat Ryan of the GNCCB said: "An Garda Síochána considers these arrests as significant in the context of transnational cybercrime and today’s action highlights the continued international law enforcement co-operation and commitment in tackling cybercrime.”