Detectives from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, investigating the notorious Black Axe crime gang, have made 327 arrests for money laundering and detained 84 individuals under organized crime legislation. As part of ‘Operation Skein,’ 22 children were also referred to juvenile diversion programs for allowing their bank accounts to be used by the criminal organization.
One of the latest convictions includes Clovis Asongwe, 36, who was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in enhancing the gang’s criminal activities. Asongwe also received a concurrent four-and-a-half-year sentence for three money laundering charges. His conviction follows that of Italian conman Giuseppe Diviccaro, 47, who laundered over €200,000 through Irish accounts between 2019 and 2020 by posing as a photographer.
The gang’s primary scam, known as business email compromise, involves cloning legitimate company emails and tricking clients into changing payment account details. The money is laundered through accounts in Ireland before being transferred to places like the UK and Portugal. Other frauds include romance scams and smishing attacks, which use fake text messages to deceive people into sharing sensitive information.
Since 2020, over €200 million has been lost to online fraud in Ireland. Despite significant disruption to the Black Axe gang, Garda officials continue to investigate their activities and work closely with international partners.
Det Supt Michael Cryan emphasized that money laundering has severe consequences, with those convicted facing up to 14 years in prison, along with placement on terrorist watch lists and restrictions on financial and travel opportunities.
In response, the Garda has launched educational campaigns to raise awareness about the risks of becoming a money mule, particularly among young people who are often targeted. Additionally, through initiatives like ‘Operation Haechi,’ law enforcement has successfully recovered millions of euros stolen in online frauds.
While fraud offences have dropped 41% since June 2023, Garda reports show a rise in smishing texts and investment fraud, with cryptocurrency being a common target in these schemes.
