Detectives from the PSNI Serious Crime Branch, operating under the Joint Agency Task Force (JATF), are currently investigating 75 reports of business-related crimes, predominantly fraud, which are targeting the agri-business sector.

Superintendent Peter Stevenson confirmed that the complex frauds have resulted in local firms, particularly those in border areas, losing out on sizeable sums of money.

The fraudsters typically agree to purchase items such as farm machinery and quad bikes from a seller, often claiming to represent another legitimate business. They then send the victim a screenshot of an apparently cancelled or entirely faked payment record, frequently using cloned cards. The goods are then collected by an "unwitting delivery driver" engaged by the 'buyer'. By the time the victim business realises the payment has not arrived, the buyer is uncontactable.

Superintendent Stevenson issued strong advice to businesses, urging them to:

• Always ensure that funds have been received before shipping by checking with their own bank, and not relying on confirmation from the buyer.

• Contact the firm the purchaser claims to represent via their publicly listed contact information, not details supplied by the buyer, to verify the purchase.

• Consider using tracking or distinctive markings on sold items to aid recovery.

Co-chair of the JATF meeting, Detective Superintendent John O’Flaherty of An Garda Síochána, confirmed the movement of stolen goods has been identified from all areas of the Republic of Ireland to the border with Northern Ireland, and urged business owners to be vigilant.