Gardai busted a bogus legal firm in Co Wicklow after they discovered vulnerable people were being scammed.
Members of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) carried out searches in the Blessington area on Tuesday, May 19, as part of a probe into an allegation of a bogus legal firm offering immigration services.
Gardai discovered that victims had paid significant fees of between €1,000 and €3,000 to the fraudulent firm in the belief that they would be assisted with their immigration status.
A number of computers and files were seized during the searches and approximately €60,000 was frozen in a bank account.
Gardai arrested a man and detained him at Naas Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
He has since been charged and will appear before Naas District Court on Thursday, May 21, 2020.
Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said: "We are concerned that people in vulnerable positions are being taken advantage by fraudsters.
"We are advising persons seeking legal advice on immigration services or otherwise to check to ensure the person or persons they are dealing with have the appropriate qualifications and experience to provide such services."
