In another case, a woman lost €10,000 trying to get paid for remote work after being scammed by a fake advertisement online.
These are among the cases highlighted by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to illustrate how, between last November and this August, multiple victims of online fraud lost up to €20,000.
Gráinne Griffin, director of communications at the CCPC, said: “As the busiest shopping season of the year kicks off, it’s important consumers avoid rushing into online purchases and transactions.
“For the sake of your finances and your safety, take care when shopping online. Don’t let tactics like time-sensitive offers or countdown clocks pressure you into making a decision you might regret.”
In the first case, a man paid €11,000 by bank transfer to what seemed to be a perfectly legitimate travel website. The website disappeared a few days later.
His bank was unsuccessful in reversing the transfer, but he is exploring legal options.
One renter lost €1,800 when a bogus landlord posted a fake rental listing
In the second case, a woman found an advert purportedly promoting remote work for a leading department store, with earnings of up to €350 a day.
The work involved completing almost 40 tasks a day, with a bonus available if the consumer sent cryptocurrency to her ‘employer’.
Over time, the consumer made €7,500 in payments without receiving any ‘earnings’ in return. At this point, she knew she was being defrauded, but made a final payment of €2,500 in the hope that it would unlock all the money owed to her. It did not.
Stock image of a man booking a holiday online. Photo: Getty
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Friday, November 28
She contacted her bank and gardaí, but they were unable to assist as she had authorised the transactions.
Other fraudsters are taking advantage of Ireland’s housing crisis.
One renter lost €1,800 when a bogus landlord posted a fake rental listing. The renter visited the property in person, signed a tenancy agreement and made a payment by bank transfer.
But, when the man arrived at the property on move-in day a few days later, the home was already occupied and the bogus landlord could not be reached.
The fraud was traced to a bank account in Malta. The consumer had yet to recover any money, but the garda investigation was ongoing and an RTB case remained open.
