Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation

Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation
Agency overview
Formed April 1, 1996 (1996-04-01)
Jurisdiction Ireland
Headquarters Harcourt Square, Dublin, Ireland
Agency executive
Parent agency Garda Síochána

The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI) (Irish: Biúró an Gharda um Imscrúdú Calaoise, "BGIC") – informally known as the Garda Fraud Squad – is a specialised division of Ireland's national police force, the Garda Síochána, that investigates financial crimes. The Bureau operates as part of the Garda National Support Services branch, and works alongside other sections of the force, as well as the external Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE), an agency tasked with investigating white-collar crime. The Bureau of Fraud Investigation is responsible for the investigation of financial fraud and other matters of monetary loss through illegal means nationally. It was established in April 1996 and is based at Harcourt Square, Dublin 2. The GBFI is headed by an officer of Detective Chief Superintendent rank, who reports to the Assistant Commissioner of the National Support Services.[1]

The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation investigates serious and complex cases of commercial fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, cybercrime, cheque and payment card fraud, counterfeit currency, advance fee fraud, and breaches of the Companies Acts and competition law.[2][3] As an investigative unit, all members are of detective rank, and include trained financial, legal and computer specialists, such as forensic accountants.[4]

The GBFI is divided into five operational units with a Detective Superintendent or Detective Inspector in charge of each specialist area;

The Bureau of Fraud Investigation focus on major and complex fraud based on the following criteria; monetary loss, investigations involving a significant international dimension, investigations concerning widespread public concern, investigations requiring specialised knowledge and investigations involving complex issues of law or procedure.[1] The Bureau's responsibility includes the gathering of information and financial intelligence (FININT) for the force and Irish government, extending to terrorism financing,[5][6] and proactively detecting and preventing fraud through sting operations.[7]

As part of European Union (EU) counter-terrorism initiatives on tackling Islamic extremism and jihadism, the Garda Computer Crime Investigation Unit monitors suspects in Ireland and outside the jurisdiction using the internet to distribute propaganda such as videos linked to terror groups, especially the so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant". Online chat rooms and forums used by extremists to target and recruit vulnerable young people, particularly teenagers and young men, are also kept under observation by the Garda Computer Crime Unit.[8]

The GBFI works particularly closely with the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, Revenue Commissioners, Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and internally with the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) relating to investigations concerning issues such as monetary fraud, suspicious transaction reports (STR), racketeering, embezzlement, corruption and bribery.[9][10][11][12] The GBFI is a member of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.[13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation". An Garda Síochána. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Garda Crime Prevention Advice" (PDF). Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI). Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  3. ↑ O’Keeffe, Cormac (3 March 2006). "Few prosecuted for money laundering". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "CAB to lead anti-terrorism efforts here". The Irish Times. 28 September 2001. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Terrorist Financing Explained". Central Bank of Ireland. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Criminal Justice (Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 Training" (PDF). Professional Insurance Brokers Association (PIBA). Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Guide to Fraud Prevention" (PDF). GBFI. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Breen, Stephen (15 July 2015). "Gardai arrest Islamic State suspect before trip to Syria". The Sun. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  9. ↑ Ryan, Philip (9 November 2014). "Fine Gael politician at centre of Garda planning fraud probe". Irish Independent. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  10. ↑ "Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Unit (AMLCU)". The Department of Justice and Equality. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  11. ↑ "Reporting Obligations - Republic of Ireland". Chartered Accountants Regulatory Board (CARB). Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  12. ↑ Lally, Conor (29 January 2015). "Firearms and cash seized in major gardaí operation". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  13. ↑ "List of Members of The Egmont Group". The Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units. Retrieved 22 June 2015.

External links

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