• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Authorities Investigate Irish Identities Being Sold On The Dark Web For As Low As €25

Home> News

Published 14:22 17 Apr 2023 GMT+1

Authorities Investigate Irish Identities Being Sold On The Dark Web For As Low As €25

There are reports that people's identities are being bought and sold on the dark web for as little as €25.

Conor Paterson

Conor Paterson

It is claimed you can buy anything on the dark web these days and that may well be true. Worryingly for Irish people, there are reports that people's identities are being bought and sold on the dark web for as little as €25.

The Irish Daily Mail has reported that as a result of data breaches, sensitive personal information and data have been widely available for scammers and are being packaged together and sold by criminals on the most remote parts of the internet.

These packages are known as ‘fullz’ and often contain names, addresses, IDs, credit card details and copies of passports and driving licences. Even extremely sensitive information such as bank login details, passwords and PPS numbers are widely available.

According to Irish Daily Mail, sources have revealed that the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) is aware of the practice and is currently investigating the issue.

Advert

However, investigations by authorities on such issues prove to be very difficult due to the sophisticated nature of the scams and the reluctance of members of the public to make official statements Gardaí or perhaps don’t even know they have been a victim of a scam.

A source with knowledge of such security investigations told the Irish Daily Mail that “Most people posting credit card details online are not just taking one person’s details and putting them online.

‘The vast majority of people have a massive amount of information that has been scraped from data breaches. So, while you can put something up for €25, this seller will be advertising hundreds if not thousands of these. They also minimise the risk of not being caught as they deal solely in cryptocurrency which is notoriously difficult to track.”

While the use of the dark web and cryptocurrency make investigations very difficult for authorities, criminals are clearly very innovative in the tools they use and are constantly adapting to maximise returns while minimising risks.

In fact, the Irish Times reported last week that the National Cyber Security Centre is currently drawing up advice for the public to avoid potential scams due to ‘frightening’ advances in artificial intelligence.

Advert

Speaking to the Irish Times, the Minister of State with responsibility for cybersecurity Ossian Smyth said “AI tools have been advancing much more rapidly than expected in the last few months.

Their powers and level of sophistication are frightening, and a lot of scenarios are clearly possible now which could pose a risk to the public, and we are going to be advising people on how to minimise that risk.”

In response to the news of identities being sold online, a Bank of Ireland spokesperson said

“Monitoring of the dark web is a standard fraud detection and prevention measure undertaken by the bank.”

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Ireland

Conor Paterson
Conor Paterson

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a minute ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images
    a minute ago

    Major breakthrough as FBI discover DNA and chilling note at scene of Charlie Kirk shooting

    The FBI have managed to find a DNA match at the scene of the crime

    News

    breaking

  • BBC
    an hour ago

    Leader of horrific Dubai sex trade ring had disturbing answer when asked about ‘porta-potty’ parties

    Charles Mwesigwa bragged that he had a host of 'open-minded' women on hand for clients

    News
  • Alex Livesey/Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Boxer wh⁠o was set to fight Ricky Hatton shares tragic details following his death

    The boxer says he was meant to meet with Hatton this week

    News
  • Contributor/Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    NATO boss issues horrifying warning as its told Putin ‘could strike London’ next intensifying WW3 fears

    It's been said Russia could target western Europe

    News
  • Man scammed out of £3,500 while on holiday after having his identity sold on the dark web
  • Hacker of 30 years explains worst thing he has witnessed while searching on the dark web
  • Woman who sold all belongings to live permanently on a cruise ship exposes 'dark side' of life on there
  • 'Leaked' GTA 6 storyline that was cancelled for being 'too dark'