Gardaí issue warning about new scam

Westmeath gardaí have issued a warning to the public about a new scam in which criminals posing as Garda Commissioner Drew Harris send a letter to victims telling them that they are “the subject of an ongoing judicial procedure”.

The official looking letter, which is being sent to people through the post and via email, says that the procedure concerns: “infringement of pornographic websites, sexual harassment, cyber-pornography, exhibitionism on the internet, paedophile”.

The victim is told to email their “justifications so that they can be reviewed and checked for sanctions within a strict 48 hour time limit”.

If they do not reply within 48 hours, the letter says that a warrant will be issued for their arrest and they will be placed on the sex offenders registry.

If a person does email the address given, they receive a reply threatening them that if they don't pay a fine they will be prosecuted.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Crime Prevention Officer Sgt John Walters urged people to ignore the letter if they receive one and said that it is “meant to frighten someone to engage”.

He also pointed out that Commissioner Harris would never contact a member of the public about a potential investigation or for a fine payment.

“It looks real, but we don't ask for fines over the phone. All fines are paid in the post office. It [the scam] is prevalent in Cork and down the south at the minute. It hasn't been reported in Westmeath yet, but like a virus these things spread.”

In a message on its Facebook page, local gardaí said: “Gardai in Westmeath are warning people that if they receive a letter like the one attached, to ignore it and not engage.

“It does look official and threatens arrest if fine is not paid. It's another scam looking to defraud people out of money. Gardai do not look for fines to be paid over the phone or email and never will. “