All the people received emails claiming to be from the Courts Service Ireland.
A 35-year-old man has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the fraudulent claiming of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).
Gardaí seconded to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) assisted by Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) personnel arrested the man in the Middleton area of Cork on Tuesday morning, 9 March.
It is the second arrest as part of this investigation.
To date, 73 people have been identified as having their details fraudulently obtained in order to claim the payment.
Gardaí said all 73 people received an email under the pretence it was from the Courts Service Ireland requesting them to do jury duty.
The email collected personal information, which included their PPSN, name, address, date of birth and mother’s maiden name.
This information was then used to apply online and claim the Covid payment of €350 per person each week with an estimated €187,000 paid out in total.
The man is currently detained at Cobh Garda Station under the provisions of Section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007 and he can be detained for up to seven days.
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