Crime « Thurles Information

‘Flubot’ – New Text Scam In Circulation.

Vodafone are warning Irish customers of a dangerous new sophisticated scam text, which has begun circulating called ‘Flubot’.

Currently this scam only affects Android users, however it is believed that same could also soon affect Apple users.

This Flubot SMS (short message service), is now circulating in Ireland and customers are being asked to take the following actions should they receive same SMS from a company they do not recognise, regarding the tracking of a package.

(1) IGNORE: Do not click on any link included in the message.

(2) DELETE: Remove the full SMS from your phone immediately.

While the scam will primarily affect Android users, Vodafone encourage users of all handsets to be cautious when receiving such any SMS, particularly when you are not expecting a delivery or a contact from a courier.

The National Cyber Security Centre have expanded on these new tactics being employed by fraudsters.
Quote, “Such messages typically contain a link for the victim to click on to get details of a missed package delivery. This link will direct the victim to a fake website replicating the legitimate delivery company’s site. The victim will then be asked to download two .apk files which are banking trojans. Users will then be prompted to manually override and allow an untrusted app download.”

[Trojan: A trojan, is a type of malicious code or software that looks legitimate is designed to damage, disrupt, steal, or in general inflict harmful action on your data or network.]

[APK file: An APK file is an app created for Android, Google’s mobile operating system. Some apps come pre-installed on Android devices, while other apps can be downloaded from Google Play.]

We are aware here in Thurles of individuals receiving similar type SMS messages as shown hereunder.

**Type of SMS received within Thurles area**.

This warning comes as Gardaí continuously warn the public to be alert for any suspicious texts, scam calls or information forms received online.

€12k Drug Seizure In North Tipperary.

On Friday morning last, Gardaí arrested and charged a man in relation to the seizure of drugs valued at over €12,000 in North Co. Tipperary.

Shortly after 11:00am Gardaí at Roscrea, together with the Tipperary Divisional Drugs Unit and the Southern Region Dog Unit, executed a search warrant at an address at Rosemary Street, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

During the course of the search Gardaí located and seized, an estimated €9,300 of cannabis herb, €2,600 of cocaine and €225 worth of amphetamines.

Gardaí also seized mixing agent and a weighing scales. All of the drugs will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for confirmed analysis.

The arrested man, understood to be aged in his 40’s, was is due to appear before Ennis District Court on Friday evening last.

Garda Search Warrant Leads To €40k Cannabis Herb Seizure In Tipperary.

Yesterday, Wednesday May 26th 2021, members of the Cahir and Cashel Garda Drugs Unit, assisted by the Divisional Crime Task Force, Cahir Community Policing and the Garda Dog Unit executed a search warrant at Hymenstown, New Inn, Co Tipperary.

It was during the course of this organised search, that cannabis herb with a street value of some €40,000 was seized.

A file is now expected to be forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) within the coming days.

Three Persons Accused Of Abduction, Refused Bail In Tipperary.

Three persons, each accused of abducting two minors from Belfast before absconding to Co Tipperary in the Irish Republic, have been refused bail at Nenagh District Court earlier today, May 27th 2021.

The two boys, both brothers aged 5 and 8, the subject of two protection orders sought by the Social Services in Northern Ireland, vanished from their home in Belfast Northern Ireland on May 14th last.

Their disappearance led to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issuing an alert for their safe return, which saw their pictures shown across a number of social media platforms.

Assistance by the PSNI was sought from the Gardaí when it was indicated that the minors had travelled across the border into the Irish Republic.

The boys have since been found safe and well, at a house here in a Thurles estate, on Tuesday afternoon last; both in the company of three adults, latter who held addresses in Belfast.

The three accompanying adults were arrested by Gardaí, before each being charged with two counts of child abduction, contrary to Section 17 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act, 1997, on May 25th, 2021.

We understand that the two boys were then taken into care by Tusla – The Child and Family Agency, before being returned to the care of Belfast Social Services.

Today, in court Gardaí objected to the three accused being released on bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the charges against them and the fear that the same accused would flee the jurisdiction of the Irish State.
Judge Elizabeth McGrath presiding stated that she was fully satisfied that the threshold for refusing bail had been met based on the charges and remanded all three accused in custody, to appear in again in court via video link on Wednesday June 2nd next.

The identity of the minors is protected under law, as indeed is the identity of the three accused, since naming either could lead to the identity of the minors in question.

Search Warrant Uncovers Cash, Heroin & Cannabis In Tipperary.

Over the past weekend, members of the Clonmel District Drugs Unit, Community Policing, Detective and Regular Garda Units using a Warrant, carried out a search on an address at Cooleens Close, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

During the course of this search heroin with an estimated street value of €800 was seized together with a small amount of cannabis, cash and other paraphernalia associated with the distribution/supply of drugs.

A man understood to be aged in his 40’s was arrested at the scene, before being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Clonmel.

A file is now expected to be forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).