Gardai have launched a serious of raids in five different counties investigating a network of Nigerian fraudsters engaged in money laundering, RTE reports.
The raids took place in the counties of Dublin, Meath, Laois, Louth and Kildare by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau who were supported by armed detectives.
15 raids took place in Dublin, most of which were in the Clonsilla, Blanchardstown and Tyrrelstown areas and Gardai seized computers, documents and four vehicles. No arrests were made during the raids, but they are expected in the coming days.
The Nigerian led gang is highly organised and has recruited over 100 other Nigerians to help launder the stolen money, the Herald reported.
Irish banks have been instructed to close as many as 350 bank accounts and 170 other suspects are linked to the fraud network across Europe, West Africa and as far afield as China.