Reporting Cybercrime to An Garda Síochána (GNCCB) — Ireland
Sourced from Irish Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Ireland's cybercrime investigator is the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), the specialist unit within An Garda Síochána. Economic crime (large-value or organised fraud) is handled by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB). Statutory frameworks: Criminal Justice (Offences Relating to Information Systems) Act 2017 (covers unauthorised access, interception, interference; penalties up to 10 years for serious offences) and the Criminal Justice (Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
Most reports are made through the local Garda station, which routes cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled cases to GNCCB. For SIM / telecom-side issues, ComReg regulates Irish telecom operators.
When does it apply?
- Online fraud, account takeover, identity theft, blackmail, sextortion in Ireland.
- Investment / crypto / trading platform fraud.
- Unsolicited messages requesting OTP / banking details on behalf of an Irish entity (Revenue, AIB, BoI, An Garda, courier).
- Online harassment or cyberstalking — see Data Privacy & Digital Rights.
- SIM-swap fraud.
Filing a Cybercrime Report in Ireland
- Report at your local Garda station. Bring evidence (screenshots, transaction SMS, voice notes). The Garda will create a Pulse incident — keep the Pulse reference number.
- For cybercrime-heavy cases, the report routes to GNCCB. For large-value or organised fraud, GNECB.
- For SIM / telecom scams, parallel a ComReg complaint.
- Cross-reference Pulse, ComReg reference, bank case reference on a timeline.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't expect a personal investigator for small cases. The Pulse reference is what unlocks FSPO and bank-side recovery.
- Don't pay 'recovery agents' upfront.
- Don't ignore Crime Stoppers if you wish to report anonymously — 1800 25 00 25.
About Scams, Fraud & Money Recovery in Ireland
Ireland's scam-recovery system runs across three institutions. An Garda Síochána investigates cybercrime through the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) and economic crime through the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB). The statutory frameworks are the Criminal Justice (Offences Relating to Information Systems) Act 2017 (giving effect to EU Directive 2013/40/EU) and the Criminal Justice (Fraud Offences) Act 2001. For the money side, Irish banks must reimburse unauthorised electronic transactions under EU PSD2 (Regulation 2015/2366) and the European Union (Payment Services) Regulations 2018 — generally by end of next business day. If the bank refuses, the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) resolves the dispute for free under the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017. For telecom-side scams (fake calls, SMS, SIM-swap), ComReg is the regulator.
Emergency: 999 / 112. Crime Stoppers: 1800 25 00 25.
Common Questions
What's the difference between GNCCB and GNECB?
GNCCB handles cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled crime — hacking, unauthorised access, online sexual offences, identity-theft cyber-dimensions. GNECB handles white-collar / economic crime including organised fraud, money laundering, market abuse, and large-value fraud. Most retail fraud reports begin at the local Garda station; routing happens internally.
Can I report anonymously?
Yes — Crime Stoppers Ireland at 1800 25 00 25 accepts anonymous reports. Information feeds Garda investigations but does not generate a personal reference number for FSPO / bank-side recovery. For your own case, a named report at a Garda station is needed.
Does ComReg handle individual scam complaints?
ComReg regulates the Irish telecom sector. It handles complaints about telecom service quality and can act against operators where fraudulent SIM registration or non-compliance is identified. For pure financial fraud, FSPO is the right escalation; for telecom-side issues, ComReg.
What about the European Anti-Fraud Office?
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) handles fraud against the EU budget — different scope from individual consumer scams in Ireland. For EU-fund-related fraud, OLAF; for everyday consumer scams in Ireland, An Garda Síochána + FSPO + Central Bank.
What is the reporting cybercrime to an garda síochána (gnccb) right in Ireland?
Ireland's cybercrime investigator is the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), the specialist unit within An Garda Síochána. Economic crime (large-value or organised fraud) is handled by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB). Statutory frameworks: Criminal Justice (Offences Relating to Information Systems) Act 2017 (covers unauthorised access, interception, interference; penalties up to 10 years for serious offences) and the Criminal Justice (Fraud Offences) Act 2001.Most reports are made through the local Garda station, which routes cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled cases to G...
When does it apply — reporting cybercrime to an garda síochána (gnccb)?
Online fraud, account takeover, identity theft, blackmail, sextortion in Ireland.Investment / crypto / trading platform fraud.Unsolicited messages requesting OTP / banking details on behalf of an Irish entity (Revenue, AIB, BoI, An Garda, courier).Online harassment or cyberstalking — see Data Privacy & Digital Rights.SIM-swap fraud.
How do I report a cybercrime in Ireland?
Report at your local Garda station. Bring evidence (screenshots, transaction SMS, voice notes). The Garda will create a Pulse incident — keep the Pulse reference number.For cybercrime-heavy cases, the report routes to GNCCB. For large-value or organised fraud, GNECB.For SIM / telecom scams, parallel a ComReg complaint.Cross-reference Pulse, ComReg reference, bank case reference on a timeline.
What should you NOT do — reporting cybercrime to an garda síochána (gnccb)?
Don't expect a personal investigator for small cases. The Pulse reference is what unlocks FSPO and bank-side recovery.Don't pay 'recovery agents' upfront.Don't ignore Crime Stoppers if you wish to report anonymously — 1800 25 00 25.