Gardaí in the north west have issued warnings of a number of fraudulent transactions targeting Agricultural businesses over the last week.
The fraud involved an individual who contacted businesses to place an order of up to 80 rolls of silage wrap, which would equate to two pallets. The value of the products equated to between €6,000 and €7,000.
Payment is made over the phone with a credit card and a courier picked up the goods.
While the seller received payment the seller was later contacted by the bank to say the card used for the payment was cloned and they would take the money back, which left the seller down the cost of the goods.
In County Cavan, there have been four incidents but there have been similar incidents in County Laois, Co Roscommon, Co Donegal
Gardaí have identified other thefts committed in other counties. In May similar thefts occurred using cloned credit cards and as well as silage wrapt some of the goods purchases included farm machinery.
Gardaí are appealing to all businesses and in particular, those in the Agri-Business sector to remain vigilant to customers wishing to pay for substantial goods over the phone particularly if they are not familiar with the person.
