Man arrested during investigation into counterfeit mobile phones worth 10 million euros

A man in his 40s has been arrested as part of an ongoing Garda operation for dealing in counterfeit mobile phones.

The Gardaí confirmed that a telephone company had been defrauded of approximately 10 million euros.

The investigation is being led by the Intellectual Property Crime Investigation Unit of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

So far, they have frozen 14 bank accounts and confiscated more than 143,245 euros in cash.

A statement from An Garda Síochána said: “On 11 September 2024, members of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested a man as part of Operation Shrike, the investigation into the distribution of counterfeit mobile devices.

“This investigation is being conducted by the Intellectual Property Crime Investigation Unit of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.”

“It is estimated that the telephone company concerned was defrauded of 10 million euros.”

“To date, 14 bank accounts have been frozen and over 143,245 euros in cash have been seized as part of these investigations.”

The arrested man is currently being held at a Garda station in Dublin under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.