Be on your guard...
Gardaí have issued a warning to the general public ahead of the traditionally busiest shopping days of the year.
Christmas Day is this Saturday, so naturally, people are scrambling to get their various festive-related transactions over the line, be it in-person or online.
As such, it's a good time for the more nefarious types out there to profit.
The message from An Garda Síochána is simple – be very much on your guard.
One avenue to be keenly aware of is 'jugging', which refers to a theft method where customers of financial institutions are watched by people who wait for them to come out of those financial institutions with a bank bag, coin box or bank envelope that looks like they might contain a large amount of cash.
In this instance, the customer may be followed, with the thief looking for an opportunity to steal the cash, possibly by breaking into the individual's car or causing a distraction theft from the victim directly.
An Garda Síochána has specifically targeted criminal groups involved in this activity.
Following a recent operation at the end of November, three men were arrested and subsequently charged with multiple offences before the courts. They are currently remanded in custody.
During the course of this operation, the contents of a number of bank accounts were frozen and €110,000 in cash was recovered.
If carrying out cash-based banking transactions, people are urged to:
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially if something seems strange
- Conceal your bank deposit bags, coin boxes or envelopes as you enter and leave
- Take your bank bag or envelope with you to your next destination
- Always vary your routes and times for cash drops and collections
- Consider using electronic transfers rather than depositing or withdrawing physical cash
- If you feel like you are being followed, call 999 and head to a Garda Station
