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Irish Independent
02-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Grandfather who lost €116,000 to ‘incredibly convincing scam' given a full refund from bank
The 70-year-old, who does not want to be named, thought he was investing in a three-year bond in May last year to save money for his children and eight grandchildren. He had gone into his nearest branch of AIB to carry out the transfer of £100,000 (€116,000) to what appeared to be a legitimate account with a major UK bank. The man realised a year later that he had been the victim of a scam, and instructed National Fraud Helpline solicitors in a bid to get the money back. This week, the firm announced that it had been successful, and the man has now been refunded his £100,000 by AIB, along with interest of £9,446.58. In addition, AIB has awarded £1,000 to compensate for any distress and inconvenience caused. Despite the happy outcome, the victim wishes to remain anonymous as not even his immediate family know about his misfortune. 'I'll now put the money somewhere safe, like into my savings account,' he said. Leo McGowan, a lawyer at National Fraud Helpline, said: 'We're delighted that our client has been refunded in full and got the additional interest. 'He is both pleased and relieved. It's been an incredibly stressful time for him thinking he had lost such a large sum of money.' The lawyer said that he felt the case was 'particularly strong' as the firm believed there should have been checks carried out on where the money was being sent to. ADVERTISEMENT But he added: 'Credit to AIB who have now resolved this issue fairly and in good time. It was an incredibly convincing scam that shows anyone can fall victim to fraud 'It was an incredibly convincing scam that shows anyone can fall victim to fraud.' The saga began when the man found details online about an M&S Bank bond paying an annual return of 7.5pc, which is unusually high, over three years. It turned out to be a fraudulent scheme. The fraudsters, who were based in London, asked him to transfer money from his Santander account to his AIB account before making the investment. He was sent a convincing M&S Bank application form, along with other bank literature that made him believe the investment was legitimate. The fraudsters even insisted the victim should send them proof of identity and a utility bill, which confirmed him in the belief that the process seemed above-board. The documents said the investment would be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000. After supposedly passing identity and money-laundering checks, he went into his branch of AIB to transfer the money to the account he had been given. He realised he had been the victim of a scam a year later and that the bond was not a legitimate M&S Bank product when the first interest payment failed to come, and telephone numbers associated with the scheme stopped working. AIB declined to comment on its decision to refund the customer following the in-branch transaction. But a spokesperson said: 'While AIB Group can't discuss individual cases, we are strongly committed to protecting our customers from fraud, making them aware of the latest scams, educating them on the best ways to keep their money and details safe, as well as supporting them if they do fall victim to fraud. If a customer suspects they have been a victim of fraud, we urge them to contact us as soon as possible 'If a customer suspects they have been a victim of fraud, we urge them to contact us as soon as possible, as this allows us to mobilise an immediate investigation and support.' An M&S Bank spokesperson said last month: 'Protecting our customers from fraud is an absolute priority for us. 'We'd encourage customers to review the online security and fraud advice on our website, and follow guidance from Action Fraud, to ensure they remain vigilant and up to date on common scams, such as investment opportunities which can seem too good to be true.'
Irish Independent
02-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Grandfather who lost £100,000 to ‘incredibly convincing scam' refunded by AIB over bank transaction
The 70-year-old, who does not want to be named, thought he was investing in a three-year bond in May last year to save money for his children and eight grandchildren. He had gone into his nearest branch of AIB to carry out the transfer of £100,000 (€116,000) to what appeared to be a legitimate account with a major UK bank. The man realised a year later that he had been the victim of a scam, and instructed National Fraud Helpline solicitors in a bid to get the money back. This week, the firm announced that it had been successful, and the man has now been refunded his £100,000 by AIB, along with interest of £9,446.58. In addition, AIB has awarded £1,000 to compensate for any distress and inconvenience caused. Despite the happy outcome, the victim wishes to remain anonymous as not even his immediate family know about his misfortune. 'I'll now put the money somewhere safe, like into my savings account,' he said. Leo McGowan, a lawyer at National Fraud Helpline, said: 'We're delighted that our client has been refunded in full and got the additional interest. 'He is both pleased and relieved. It's been an incredibly stressful time for him thinking he had lost such a large sum of money.' The lawyer said that he felt the case was 'particularly strong' as the firm believed there should have been checks carried out on where the money was being sent to. ADVERTISEMENT But he added: 'Credit to AIB who have now resolved this issue fairly and in good time. It was an incredibly convincing scam that shows anyone can fall victim to fraud 'It was an incredibly convincing scam that shows anyone can fall victim to fraud.' The saga began when the man found details online about an M&S Bank bond paying an annual return of 7.5pc, which is unusually high, over three years. It turned out to be a fraudulent scheme. The fraudsters, who were based in London, asked him to transfer money from his Santander account to his AIB account before making the investment. He was sent a convincing M&S Bank application form, along with other bank literature that made him believe the investment was legitimate. The fraudsters even insisted the victim should send them proof of identity and a utility bill, which confirmed him in the belief that the process seemed above-board. The documents said the investment would be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000. After supposedly passing identity and money-laundering checks, he went into his branch of AIB to transfer the money to the account he had been given. He realised he had been the victim of a scam a year later and that the bond was not a legitimate M&S Bank product when the first interest payment failed to come, and telephone numbers associated with the scheme stopped working. AIB declined to comment on its decision to refund the customer following the in-branch transaction. But a spokesperson said: 'While AIB Group can't discuss individual cases, we are strongly committed to protecting our customers from fraud, making them aware of the latest scams, educating them on the best ways to keep their money and details safe, as well as supporting them if they do fall victim to fraud. If a customer suspects they have been a victim of fraud, we urge them to contact us as soon as possible 'If a customer suspects they have been a victim of fraud, we urge them to contact us as soon as possible, as this allows us to mobilise an immediate investigation and support.' An M&S Bank spokesperson said last month: 'Protecting our customers from fraud is an absolute priority for us. 'We'd encourage customers to review the online security and fraud advice on our website, and follow guidance from Action Fraud, to ensure they remain vigilant and up to date on common scams, such as investment opportunities which can seem too good to be true.'
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Gerwyn Price hits out at darts chiefs and makes Ronnie O'Sullivan claim
Gerwyn Price has taken aim at the PDC after winning Night 12 of the Premier League Darts, with the 'Iceman' reiterating his claim that Rotterdam should be dropped as a venue Gerwyn Price has renewed his call for the BetMGM Premier League's night in Rotterdam to be gone with the wind - to a less draughty venue. The 'Iceman' won his third night of the 2025 season with a 6-4 win against world No.1 Luke Humphries in the final at Liverpool's M&S Bank arena. But Price is still bristling with anger at the way his darts wobbled in gusts of air on stage at Rotterdam's Ahoy! forum seven days earlier - and he's not just shooting the breeze about it. The fiery Welshman wants the Professional Darts Corporation to look at other venues in Holland, saying: 'Sometimes I do throw my toys out the pram when things don't go my way. But I had a reason last week - we don't deserve to play in those conditions. 'I know they say we have to be in Rotterdam every year, but surely they can find a venue where it's fair for everyone? People say it's the same for every player, but it definitely isn't. 'If someone throws heavier darts, longer points, longer stems, thicker flights, it's not the same for everyone. If you had the World Championship snooker now and lift one leg up on one end and one down on the other end, I'm sure Ronnie (O'Sullivan) wouldn't be happy with that.' Price is now third in the Premier League table, on course for the play-offs, despite a watery finish in Liverpool where at least one pint of beer went flying near the stage. And he believes top-of-the-table Luke Littler, whose collapse from 4-0 up against Michael van Gerwen stunned the hostile crowd, and Humphries will be looking over their shoulders. Gezzy said: 'I think they must have thought one of us hit a nine-darter - they were chucking pints everywhere and a little bit went on us. 'When I'm on my game I am the best in the world. Luke's as good as he is, Michael is as good as he is on his day. 'But if I play my A game, they don't beat me - and I think they know that as well. But it's a question of which version of me turns up. 'I just want to make the top four, it doesn't matter if it's one, two, three or four. Just to be in the O2 next month, that's my priority. 'But there's no denying it, five points in Liverpool eases the pressure a little bit. I'm playing really well so there's no reason why I can't win every week.'
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Littler capitulates to suffer shock defeat after being booed by darts fans
As Michael van Gerwen completed one of the great comebacks of the Premier League season, Luke Littler's miserable week betrayed the first cracks of a teenage superstar feeling the strain Luke Littler squandered an invincible hand as his trial by a Scouse jury turned into a nightmare. And as Michael van Gerwen completed one of the great comebacks of the 2025 BetMGM Premier League season, Luke the Nuke's miserable week betrayed the first cracks of a teenage superstar feeling the strain. From 4-0 up, Littler missed a dart to make it 5-0 and two more for a 6-3 win after being greeted at Liverpool's M&S Bank arena by a chorus of boos - because of his football allegiances as a Manchester United fan. But to widespread disbelief, Van Gerwen clawed his way back to snatch a 6-5 win in the deciding leg as the league leader's advantage evaporated. Littler had braced himself for a noisy reception, posting 'Bring on the boos Liverpool' on his social media. And before the match, he admitted: 'My approach is to expect the worst - and if it's not as bad as I feared, I'll take that as a positive for myself.' Littler's walk-on was more businesslike than usual, reserving sideways glances only for his entourage by the runway and not risking eye contact with any detractors at close quarters. When he stormed into what should have been an impregnable lead, His Nukeship looked in the mood to whitewash the three-times world champion and seven-times Premier League winner. Littler took out 160, after stepping back to let the nonsense subside, to go 5-3 up and gestured playfully to the crowd to keep the noise down. But as his scoring power dried up, Van Gerwen hit back to force a decider - and Littler couldn't turn the tap back on when it was needed. He still tops the table, and remains the bookies' favourite for back-to-back Premier League triumphs in next month's play-offs at London's O2 arena. But he was so unsettled by his rough ride from a Munich crowd in his German Grand Prix semi-final defeat by another Dutchman, Gian van Veen, on Easter Monday that he expressed relief at not having to return to the Fatherland on the European Tour until October. And when Littler's badinage with the Merseyside gallery backfired 72 hours later, it capped his worst week as world champion. The Liverpool audience was more upset by home favourite Stephen Bunting's 5-1 defeat against Rob Cross, which denied the 'Bullet' the extended homecoming party he craved. Ten years ago, in his debut Premier League campaign, Bunting was wiped out 7-1 by at the same venue. Now the world No.4s remains rooted to the foot of the table and a long shot for the play-offs.
Metro
21-04-2025
- Business
- Metro
M&S customers unable to make contactless payments after technical glitch
Customers shopping at Marks and Spencer stores have been left high and dry after a contactless payment meltdown. M&S customers reported issues with contactless payments at some stores in the UK this afternoon. Outage reports spiked on DownDetector at midday, with the tracking website saying there are 'possible problems at M&S Bank.' The majority of glitches affect online banking, while some issues were reported with the credit card functions as well. One customer said she tried to return clothing to the Camden, London, store, but she was told the WiFi is down across the company. She claimed she was told that it has been an issue 'since Saturday.' A customer service advisor wrote on X: 'We are experiencing some technical issues meaning that we cannot accept contactless payments or process click and collect orders. More Trending 'We are really sorry for any inconvenience and hope to resolve these issues soon.' We approached M&S and M&S Bank for a comment. Fans of M&S have been raving about one particular product this Easter – the chocolate-filled, luxury hot cross bun. The supermarket launched the first-ever Dippy Egg Hot Cross Bun last month. The buns are filled with soft cocoa and gooey yellow and white choco filling. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Marks and Spencer join forces with fashion designer Olivia von Halle for a range of chic loungewear MORE: Supermarket own-brand butter officially crowned better than Lurpak — and it's 60% cheaper MORE: Shoppers furious over 'unspoken' supermarket rule that customers keep breaking
