Scammer selling fake driving licenses nabbed by gardai who answer online ad
'Even those back at the station that weren't up to speed on our sting knew them to be fake'
A scammer who had been selling fake Irish driving licences online was caught out after unwittingly engaging gardai through WhatsApp.
Gardai in Kilkenny posted the exchange on their Facebook page that reveals how the scam artist offered them a fake driving licence that they promised would pass Garda scrutiny.
However, after viewing the dodgy licence offered by the scammer, gardai assured those tempted to take up the offer that they were 'not worth the plastic it's printed on'.
Part of the exchange captured by gardai
Officers revealed how they had been 'having a look around at our posts and comments online' when they 'came across a chap that was offering fake driving licences that he reckoned would pass Garda scrutiny, and for just the small fee of €680.
'So we decided to check it out for ourselves.'
They then engaged with the seller who offered them a licence even though the unknown messenger claimed to be a 'disqualified driver'.
Throughout the exchange the person said they worked with the NDLS while the gardai led the fraudster along, asking them how long it would take to deliver the licence, how they could pay them and what details needed to be sent, as well as pretending to be a disqualified driver.
The seller assured the messenger that the licence would pass any Garda check, before asking for a selfie, date of birth, their name and telling them Revolut or PayPal would be required for payment.
After being requested to show a sample of one of the fake licences, the scammer provided photos to which the gardai replied: 'Actually look very good'.
The cocky scammer then states: 'I know you will recommend to your friends after this work.'
When he doesn't hear back, the scammer asks: 'Are you still there?' to which gardai reply: 'That's my work ID' alongside a photo of a Garda badge. 'All messages saved'.
Following up on the exchange gardai added that 'for what it's worth, the sample licences he sent us didn't pass our scrutiny.
'Even those back at the station that weren't up to speed on our sting knew them to be fake.'
Gardai also warned that 'if you did take the chance and present us with one of these at a checkpoint or on the roadside - it wouldn't just be the alleged road traffic offences that we would be pursuing but fraud offences too.'
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