Two arrested for suspected money laundering as part of cyber crime probe involving FBI

The man who is aged 40, and a female aged 42, are being quizzed in separate Garda stations in Cork.

Property and assets, including crypto assets, have also been seized in the operation, gardai said, while computers are currently being forensically examined for evidential content.

“The GNCCB in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been conducting parallel investigations into the sale of illicit items online,” gardai said.

“(This includes) ransomware as a service, personal banking details, credit card details and false documents such as passports and driving licences.

“The GNCCB, with assistance from local operational units in the Cork city area, conducted a number of searches today.

“One male, aged 40, and a female, aged 42, have been arrested for suspected money laundering offences and are being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 in separate Garda Stations in Cork.

“With assistance from the Garda Liaison Officer in Washington and the FBI Legal Attaché based in London, the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau have been liaising with the FBI in recent months for the purpose of targeting the activities of cybercriminals.

Detective Superintendent Pat Ryan of the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, added: "An Garda Síochána considers these arrests as significant in the context of transnational cybercrime and today’s action highlights the continued international law enforcement co-operation and commitment in tackling cybercrime."