Shopping scams have skyrocketed by 200% in the first three months of 2025, leading a dramatic surge in fraud-related crime across Ireland, according to new Garda statistics.
The latest quarterly crime figures reveal that fraud offences overall jumped by 61% compared to the same period last year, with shopping and online auction fraud recording the sharpest increase of any crime category.
These scams typically involve fake websites or fraudulent auction listings designed to steal payment card details from unsuspecting consumers. The dramatic rise reflects the growing sophistication of online criminals targeting Irish shoppers.
Multiple Fraud Categories on the Rise
The surge in fraud extends across several categories. Forgery incidents increased by over 200%, while deception cases rose by 159%. Account takeover fraud, where criminals gain access to victims’ online accounts, jumped by 128%.
Bogus tradesman scams also showed alarming growth with a 107% increase, as criminals continue to exploit homeowners through fake service offers and overpriced repairs.
However, some fraud categories showed improvement. Reports of counterfeit cash use plummeted by 88%, while phishing incidents, where criminals attempt to steal information through deceptive emails or messages, dropped by 52%.
Gardaí attribute the overall increase in fraud reporting to improved public awareness and higher detection rates rather than solely to rising criminal activity.
Traditional Crime Shows Decline
While fraud crimes surge, traditional property crimes have fallen significantly. Residential burglaries dropped by 17%, reaching their lowest level since 2021.
Gardaí credit Operation Thor, their targeted campaign against burglary gangs, with helping reduce winter break-ins by 75% over the past decade. The operation has proven particularly effective in disrupting organized burglary networks.
Overall, the statistics show decreases in robbery, burglary, violent disorder, and theft offences during the first quarter of 2025.
Retail Crime Remains Persistent
Organized retail crime continues to challenge law enforcement, particularly in Dublin. While shop theft showed a slight overall decrease, gardaí noted ongoing increases in reported incidents in the capital.
Enforcement efforts have intensified, with retail theft arrests rising by 8% over the past year. Charges and summonses surged by over 30%, reflecting coordinated efforts to tackle organized shoplifting rings and refund fraud schemes.
Road Safety Improvements
Road safety showed marked improvement in early 2025, with fatal and serious traffic collisions falling by 40% compared to the first three months of 2024.
Fatal collisions decreased by 22%, while incidents resulting in serious injury dropped by 42%. Despite a 21% increase in non-serious injuries, the overall number of road collisions fell by 7%.
Garda enforcement activity intensified significantly, with nearly 71,000 Fixed Charge Notices issued by the end of March. This included over 31,800 speeding fines and thousands of penalties for mobile phone use while driving, seatbelt violations, and bus lane misuse.
Drink and drug driving arrests rose by 3%, with an average of 23 drivers detained daily for these offences.
The crime statistics reflect a shifting landscape where traditional property crimes continue declining while sophisticated fraud schemes increasingly target Irish consumers online.