This is the use of fake mobile text messages to trick people into downloading malicious software, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cyber criminals. Cyber criminals are constantly on the lookout for new ways to extract money from victims. Cyber criminals make contact and demand payments ranging from hundreds of euro to millions of euro, usually in Bitcoin, before they will decrypt a victim’s data. Officially, gardaí say if people believe they have been the victim of a cyber crime they should report it to a local garda station. Cyber crime must be treated more seriously, and a proper resourcing plan put in place with far greater urgency.

Source: Irish Independent June 18, 2023 07:37 UTC